Webkinz Insider

Hmm · 02-17-2009, 11:28 AM

4/22/09

BREAKING NEWS

It's time to Declare Victory!
Huzzah!
_______________________________

4/1/09

The Toronto Post's front page story reads:

Quote:

Plush Toys Invade Ganz HQ

Some elephant troops (members of the extremist group, the Elephant Justice League) invaded Ganz Headquarters in Toronto today and took one of the coffeepots hostage. All attempts to interrogate the coffeepot have proved unsuccessful. The coffeepot has refused to leak (or pour) Ganz's secrets.

We here at the Elephant Justice League firmly disavow all knowledge of hostage coffeepots. The fact that we are giving away free coffee to all our troops today is just a coincidence.

__________________________________

It is April 1st. Are you ready?

Elephants and Allies Gather on the Parade Grounds
Photocredit: big2gray and Hmm

OUR SCHEDULE for April 1

At 4pm KT, all units will commence attack and send reports throughout the day on their activities.

At 7pm KT, all units will converge on the Creative Director's Office.

Thoughts to Consider

Let us note these words of wisdom from the grand muse of this raid, gReTa:

Originally Posted by gReTa

Let's remember and be thankful you can't slap restraining orders on stuffed animals.

Amen to that!

Cannot wait?

Looking for something to do before the big raid? Support Elephant Justice by entering this contest:

http://www.webkinzinsider.com/forum/...h-29-a-488087/ <-- Link

So, What Are We Doing?

Many members have asked:

Originally Posted by sassygurl

Hmm what do we need 2 do to get ready? Bc my elephants are hyped!

Originally Posted by Zooz

OK...without reading all 501 posts ( ! ) (Way to go, Hmm! ), what are we all doing on April 1?

We need to develop our schedule (in North American kinztime) for our raid on Ganz.

Here are the divisions that need to get into action:

1. Super Secret Spy Division

These are folks in costume who need to infiltrate Ganz HQ now. Given the availability of quick change "Dress Your Pet" options, you could go in as:

* A lawyer
* UPS or FedEx Delivery People
* Business person/vendor of Webkinz Products

It is also possible to wear the tree topper hat and green clothes and try to pass yourself off as an office house plant, but this might take more skill at the art of standing still.

Then, when the time is right, you can switch your outfit and join one of the other divisions.

2. Ground Troops

The Elephants and Allies army. By now hopefully, everyone will have at least reached the Canadian Border by today. If you are already in Canada, we recommend that you hide in the Jungles of Ottawa (hidden by the politicians on Capital Hill) until we're ready to take the offensive with our Packing Peanut Cannons.

3. Aerial Division

These will assault Ganz HQ from above, using Dex Dangerous Fighters and Balloons. Flying pet allies are also welcome to join this division. We can keep them in friendly territory in Minnesota until the day of the raid. Since Big2Gray, BjornTorunn and myself all live in this state, we can direct the aerial division to places where the troops can park.

4. Ninjas and Martial Artists

As anyone who watches either Anime or Hong Kong martial arts films knows, all high-level martial artists can fly so long as they are doing cool martial art manoeuvers.

This necessitates them having a separate division from our Ground and Aerial Troops.

Using Elephant Kinz-Fu, which all the elephants will master very quickly using the cinematic technique of the training montage, we will become an awesome force of trumpeting terror.

5. Nautical Division

This is for all those Pachyderm Pirates out there. Our job will be to blockade all the ports of Toronto, making it impossible for Ganz Employees to flee the premises.

(We may need some spies to infiltrate Toronto's Port Authority as well.)

We are currently working on finalizing our schedule for the troops!

Picture credit: Big2Gray, who notes that the headband says: "Elephant Justice"

Our Grievances:

I submit the following pieces of information for consideration:

ITEM #1 There are no hats on any of the elephants that appear in the Wishing Well 2 game.

The frogs have hats. The lions have crowns. The monkeys have little jester caps. Where I ask you are the elephant's hats? Doesn't Ganz think that elephants look good in hats? We demand an explanation for this outrage.

ITEM #2 Elephant Statue

One of the most wonderful elephant exclusives ever, the elephant statue was retired in 2005, making it out of the reach of most of the poor elephants in Webkinz World. Where's the justice in that?

ITEM #3 Badges

There is a cat badge. There is a dog badge. There are badges for fish and for for birds. But there is no elephant badge. There is not even a jungle animals badge to cover elephants and their neighbors.

ITEM #4 Go Fish Game (as noted by big2gray)

On the playing cards, the elephant is shown as a Queen. We all know the elephants are the Emperors of the animal kingdom!

ITEM #5 The Inaccessibility of Circus Theme (as noted by Chickentastic)

Elephants demand that the circus theme should be more accessible to all elephants so they have something to go with their PSIs.

ITEM #6 Elephants retired in the middle of of their POTM Month (as noted by PAWS)

How could Ganz expect elephants to adequately enjoy their retirement while still serving the hectic ambassadorial schedule of a POTM pet? The stress, the workload! At the very least, Elephants should have gotten more massages and peanuts during their special month.

ITEM #7 The Home Before Dark Game (as noted by IzHannah)

Izhannah states: My elephants Jack, Colby, and Velveeta are all for fighting this injustice!
They also would like to know why an elephant is pictured on the opening of the Home Before Dark arcade game.

"Does Ganz think that elephants have no sense of direction, thus making us late coming home? Also, does Ganz think us to be party animals?" says an indignant Colby. "when will these injustices end? We must put a stop to this!"

Photocredit: Cheree31

ITEM #8 Elephants not chosen for glamorous Modeling Jobs (as noted by PAWS)

PAWS did an exhaustive inventory of W Shop previews and discovered the following shocking information. Out of 157 W Shop modeling previews, only 6 are modeled by elephants. And what are they modeling? Unglamorous clothing items like the rain hat and coat, or the football jersey! Where is our sparkle? Where is our pizazz? Where are pictures of us in swim suits? In contrast, the Alley Cat (22 appearances), Panda (12 appearances) and Golden Retriever (over 50+ appearances) get most of the spotlight.

ITEM #9 Ears getting misplaced (as noted by Kats07)

We've all heard of hearing loss. Kats07 has reported something even more disturbing -- ear loss!

Picture credit: Kats07

Ganz should understand that this occurrence, however temporary, can have long lasting consequences to elephant's esteem and productivity? How will they hear when the W Shop has a sale on peanuts if their ears go missing?

Kats07 notes: "I had to stop putting headgear on my sweet elephants, I'd remove their hats and their ears would come off too."

Item #10: Trunk loss (as reported by Derring Do)

Derring Do writes: "Snozzle wears armor in the privacy of his own room on occasion, and when he does, *gasp* his trunk is removed! Happily, it is not lost forever, and must be stored somewhere during his wearing of his helmet (does anyone want to guess in what it is stored?) for it appears back on his poor face once he removes the helmet. He does believe he is psychologically scarred, however, and believes he will now enter yet another lawsuit.

He stands ready to oblige the rest of his herd, in fighting for justice. Pachydermus nunc Delirus!"

Item #11: Kinzclips (as reported by Charming)

The discrimination against us builds and builds. There is no elephant kinzclip.

Item #12: No Love Elephant (as reported by Wowewe and Fabiola)

There is no Love Elephant...

Item #13 No Elephant Hosts (as reported by many, many people)

There are dog and cat and Panda hosts... but where is there an Elephant host in Webkinz World? Who do elephants have to look up to?

Call to Action

Possibility #1: Legal Action

Derring Do writes: "My lil' elephant, Judy Katz Esq is our law clerk, and would love to volunteer her services for this effort, but is currently involved in this horrific issue with peanut butter. She hopes to be available soon, to assist her brothers and sisters in resolving this outrage.

Snozzle Froth, my velvet elephant is our barrister, and believes he might file a lawsuit (is today a day which ends in "y"? Then yes, he will file a lawsuit!) about this. He anticipates it could drag on and on and on, and much like the case in Bleak House might bankrupt all parties involved, but would love to be part of the action, er, to help out with the cause."

All elephant attorneys at law are welcome to join Snozzle Froth is preparing for a class action suit. Please come with your own supplies of peanuts.

Possibility #2: The Packing Peanuts Fight!

Caption: PEANUT AND SQUIRT ARE READY!
"HEY UM IS THAT A A A A MOUSE!"
Picture credit: Cheree31

The lovely and talented gReTa made the following suggestion for those who prefer action over paperwork:

Originally Posted by gReTa

We must end this injustice with..with..um... a packing peanut fight!

Since this suggestion has been made, the plans for the packing peanut fight have grown quite detailed.

The Assault on Ganz Headquarters

BjornTorunn has outlined the following action steps for a Packing Peanut Assault on Ganz Headquarters:

Originally Posted by BjornTorunn

In order that you might be prepared should the worst come to pass, I present this battle plan for the packing peanut fight.

1. Infiltrate FedEx as a mechanic so that you have access to one of their vehicles. Try to also put together a disguise as one of their drivers.

2. Have one of your mad scientists create a packing peanut cannon. Make sure it includes an ammunition backpack so you don't have to refill as often.

3. Put as many packing peanuts as you can fit in the back of the van. Space will be limited, since your raiding party with their packing peanut cannons also have to fit back there.

4. Pull up to the Ganz loading docks in the van and get them to open the doors.

5. Capture the loading docks and shipping area, using your packing peanut cannons to put down any resistance. If the guns work properly, we expect them to be overcome with laughter. Watch out for any carpeted areas, everyone knows how static electricity can attract packing peanuts!

6. Now that you have the shipping area secure, raid the rest of the complex. You can use the packing peanuts you captured in their shipping area as additional ammunition.

Unless this plan gets leaked, it should allow for a successful raid.

We know that none of our trunk-wielding brethren would dare leak such a plan. Elephants have always been discreet.

Photocredit: Charming, with a little help from Hmm

Charming has also provided this pic of a packing peanut cannon:

Originally Posted by charming

Behold the packing peanuts blaster!

(see the packing peanuts. LOL)

What you will need to make one: 1 dex dangerous telescope, hammer (no wonder ganz retired the tool belt, they didn't want us building!!) and lots of packing peanuts. Disclaimer: This is for trained elephants ONLY and should not be operated by anyone. Also DO NOT USE REAL PEANUTS. The elephants will become confused.

Fill your cannons with peanuts!

All over Webkinz World, elephants are readying for the day of action.

Big2Gray reports:

Originally Posted by big2gray

All five of my elephants will be working on the peanut cannon. We have a potato cannon we can work from. Now all I have to do is find my passport.....

But note this warning from Cheree31:

Originally Posted by cheree31

Um we forgot one important piece of info....are the packing peanuts bio degradable.... We wouldn't want to be sued for polluting the earth or contributing to the land fill problem?????/

Fortunately Derring Do has researched this problem:

Originally Posted by derring do

Excellent advancement to our secret mission, everyone! We go away for a day, and look how far the plans have progressed!

Snozzle Froth and Judy Katz can add one bit of information for our green pachyderms: there are packing peanuts made from vegetable starch, which are totally biodegradable (or edible, if one is an elephant) which we could use instead of the standard foam.

We might need to factor in a 10:1 loss quotient, due to our tropps eating the ammunition, but it would be worth it to protect the environment.

Says Snozzle: "We need to be responsible global citizens, amf nerf prowwluff"

His law firm is currently playing game after game of "Go Go Googles" attempting to build a legal war chest, which we will surely require after this action, to defend any captured elephants.

Brand New! The Packing Peanut Raid now has an Aerial Division!

gReTa wrote:

Originally Posted by gReTa

We could have webkinz fly around in Dex Dangerous Spaceships and Hot Air Balloons and have them drop peanuts on GANZ peeps..

Here is an artist depiction of what the raid in progress can look like:

Picture credit: Hmm

As you can see this is Ganz Headquarters... after the grounds have been completely saturated with packing peanuts. You can see various divisions here: Ganz Plush Division, Ganz Customer Service, and the high tower in the center which is the Office of the Creative Director. It is surrounded by a moat and guarded by mean looking Zangoz with clubs.

We have the Elephant Justice League (an offshoot of the Elephant Rescue Society) preparing to close in. As an important logistical detail, there is a concession stand available to keep the troops well supplied with peanuts. It is also a data collection point, as we have staff with telescopes reporting on the action.

Other Clever Inventions from our Mad Scientists!

Packing Peanuts filled with Laughing Gas:

Originally Posted by Rriel

I don't have an elephant, but my Whimsy and Emperor dragons plus my jungle pets are willing to aid in the raid. My lil'kinz tiger who is a mechanical genius has developed an packing peanut that can be stuffed with laughing gas and will explode on contact with the enemy. My pets are now mass-producing these to use as ammo.

My elephant Shanti dropped bravely dropped one of these in her bath to test it:

It turned her water green, and proved so effective that she was unable to do anything for the rest of the day. If this option is chosen, I recommend caution lest our own troops be disabled from laughing too hard.

Packing Peanut Balloons from Koalakinz:

Originally Posted by koalakinzforever

Yes, my elephants and I would have to agree with you. My lil' elephant was my very first, so you know I gotta love me my elephants. I now have three elephants. One lil' one big, and one velvety. They want to help with packing peanut weapons, so they came up with a little idea...

Packing peanut balloons.

Elyse, Elvis, and Videl-Etienne have decided to put some packing peanuts in their balloon machine, so that the balloons are filled with packing peanuts. When they fire, boom. Packing peanuts galore.

And SaltyMac adds Tetley's Wonderful Expanding Packing Peanuts:

Originally Posted by SaltyMac

Tetley, our resident wizard, likes to begin his Saturdays by checking his crystal ball for happenings in WW.

Imagine his delight to find a packing peanut assault has been launched against Ganz HQ in Toronto, by none other than the Elephant Justice League, sponsored by our favorite creative genius, Hmm!

After reading the grievances of his friends and colleagues, Tetley thought about what he might do to help the cause… As noted by Hmm and BjornTorunn, packing peanuts are difficult to transport in large quantities, since, due to their very low bulk density, they take up a large volume.

Tetley thought he might be able to supply the assault brigade with their artificial legumes in a higher density, but expandable form: packing peanut pellets. These enable the transporation of 100 times more peanuts in the same volume container. Tetey is providing vacuum-packed canisters to the Elephant justice league. When the troops open the pull-tab top, exposing the pellets to air, they inflate to 100X their size, and form their familiar peanut shape. One note of caution: it is critical to pour the pellets out of the container quickly, before the ones on the surface expand so much they get stuck in the can!

As Tetley tinkered in his lab, filling and vacuum paking canisters of peanut pellets, he thought of an improvement on his invention: delayed release packing peanut pellets. As Tetley imgined them, packing peanuts, very appropriately designed for their day-job, with their fluffy and bulky form, are not very aerodynamic. So they may be distance challenged when launched from cannons, and other missile launchers. They would fly much straighter and further in their compressed form. But the beauty of the peanuts in their expanded form is that thtey induce uncontrollable laughter, so how to deliver the peanuts in their aerodynamic compressed form, but have them expand upon delivery? "Better living through chemistry" has always been Tetley's motto. A nice filmcoating of HPMC (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose) might do the trick. About 1% weight gain should be enough to keep the pellets intact as they fly through the air, but erode away on the journey, allowing the influx of air to expand the peanuts to their full glory upon delivery.

Thanks again to Hmm and the other members of the Elephant Justice League for giving us this fun tactical problem to think about!

Super Clydesdale Bros Introduces Transformative Tea:

Originally Posted by Super Clydesdale Bros

Fisher and Madeline have decided to join the cause. (along with their mad scientist friend, Topaz.)
They are currently in the playroom's "Labratory" fixing up some "tea" for Ganz.

This tea will turn anyone who drinks it into the following:
Exhibit A:
Elephant

Exhibit B:
Velvety Elephant

OR, Exhibit C:
Mouse
(Topaz is trying to fix this problem!)

They are attempting to do this so Ganz can fit into their "shoes," and maybe clear some of this up to understand the hardships of being a Webkinz Elephant.

Here is a picture of the crew at work...:

We will all let you know when this 'concoction' is over.

A New, Diabolical Use for Bubblewrap from Derring Do:

Originally Posted by derring do

Judy Kaytz had been thinking that the *pop* bubble wrap *pop* might be useful *pop pop!* as a distraction *Pop!!!* or diversion for the main thrust of the Ganz action. *POP!!* In fact, rather than *pop* having the elephants *pop* the cells themselves, she thought *pop* that simply dropping several sheets *pop* of bubble wrap at each entrance would completely incapacitate *POP!* any security guard in the building *POP!!* - as no one can walk past bubble wrap without *POP!*ing.

Important Logistics to Consider:

Transportation to Canada

Big2Gray writes:

Originally Posted by big2gray

My hubby had a great idea. We could disguise all the elephants as clowns; rainbow wigs, chipmonk galsses, party hats, etc. This will allow us to pack about 30 or more elephants into a tiny car, thus saving gas while we car pool up to Canada.

An excellent idea for transporting our troops!

Date of Action

Charming wrote:

Originally Posted by charming

Day of action?: I say sometime in April when our discrimination is most openly noted. (the kinz klips come out without us)

I consider this to be an excellent idea. Furthermore, to show Ganz how serious we are about this discrimination, I suggest that we schedule the Day of Action in April as early as possible. Why not on the first of the month?

JUSTICE FOR ELEPHANTS: APRIL 1st, 2009

The Elephant Army is on the Move!

All over Webkinz World, we are getting reports of Elephants leaving their homes and going on road trips!

Originally Posted by Ergoiam

Hmm, have you heard hundreds of convoys of Elephant PSIs filled with assorted Webkinz dressed as clowns, cats, lions, hippos, and a few Elvis impersonators have been spotted heading north. It is not known at this time if this migration is a result of the snow melt or not...the reports are sketchy at this time, but they do seem to be carrying large trunks and what look to be Jellybean containers. The hippos and I will stay up for the evening news to see if there are any updates.

Originally Posted by big2gray

Huh, all of my elephants are missing! I looked outside, and saw five sets of elephant tracks, and one unicorn heading for a small car. I remember them saying something about goint to the local Kinkos copy \shipping store for supplies.
Maybe that also explains why my GPS gone, too.

Here is an exclusive picture of the Elephant Army forming:

Picture credit: PeaceOut( who may have to change her username after this)

Originally Posted by big2gray

Great army PeaceOut. Um, you may want to change your user ID!

Anyway, I can hear the elephant drill sargents putting those troops through their paces, marching up and down the garden. "Left feet, right feet, (wait, that is a camel gait), left front foot and back right foot, right front foot and back left foot, left front...oh, just march!

Elephant Marching Songs Needed!

Big2Gray writes:

Originally Posted by big2gray

The troops need a marching song:

Sargent: I don't know but I've been told
Troops: Folks at Gantz are mighty cold.

S: No crowns no clips and missing trunks
T: Retired in June we're in a funk.

S: They say we party day and night
T: Can't model clothes and that's not right.

S: Don't have a badge we'll make a fuss
T: The circus theme should be for us.

As awesome as this song is, we need more! Add your marching songs here!

Animals all over Webkinz World are joining the Elephant Cause!

Picture credit: Hmm

Some are even donning elephant costumes in solidarity with their trunked brethren!

Elephants unite. The outrage must end.

Hmm

PinkSlicky · 02-17-2009, 12:29 PM

Good points, and Charlie is totally on board with these points.

I really hope they don't strike. Hoping for a peaceful resolution.

big2gray · 02-17-2009, 12:35 PM

Injustace number 4: On the playing cards, the elephant is shown as a Queen. We all know the elephants are the Emperors of the animal kingdom!

Katrina, tasha, Tracy, Eugene and Ringling also join in protesting this horrible injustice.
"We will not be denied," said Tracy. "Elephants should not be regulated to the botom of Webkinz society. We are not a steriodremfs." The last word was hard to understand with her mouth full if peanuts.

ShelseaRose · 02-17-2009, 12:38 PM

My Elephant and Lil' Elephant, Dunmore and Peanut, respectively, completely agree! And if Velvety Elephants are standing up against the outrage for their stringy-furred friends, then Sneeze will join the cause as well!

--Elephants pull down Elephant Statue with long ropes in violent manner--

stbernard07 · 02-17-2009, 12:46 PM

Great points! My Lil' Elephant Peanut agrees all the way!

Chickentastic · 02-17-2009, 01:41 PM

Hank told me to say that he agrees totally and that he thinks that the circus theme should have been more accessible to all elephant so they have something to go with his psi.