Success of online petitions
 

It's well worth reading the story of how Avaaz stopped Murdoch. It gives a bit of hope that other such corruption can also be stopped.

Murdoch Campaign Report

I think the ease of signing the petitions, ie just giving your email address, has helped a lot. Another one that makes it easy to support online campaigns is Human Rights First. Just sign up with your email and receive brief messages from time to time with a link to the petition so you can add your voice. I always find the petitions fit with my sense of fair play and justice.

Re: Success of online petitions
 

Absolute drivel. The only thing that has stopped Murdoch taking full control of BSkyB is the hacking scandal. Forget your on-line petitions; in this case, totally irrelevant.

Re: Success of online petitions
 

I once started a petition to #10 and got 62273 signatures.
It did little to prevent the EU from implementing restrictions to the availability of herbal medicines. (some of which will soon disappear from store shelves as stocks cannot be replenished)

One of the first things this government did was to suspend the online facility to petition #10, which reflects their contempt of public opinion.

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It can be very depressing when petitions seem to have no effect at all. It's amazing that you got so many signatures, Margaret, you must have put a lot of effort into it. I've been knocked back many times in the past, so basically have given up with petitions too. However, in the Murdoch case Avaaz are saying that the petitions and messages caused a 4 month delay, then their poll and demos raised public awareness, their solicitors letters also had an effect, backing Hunt into a corner, plus their continuous pressure through the media and petitions finally helped gain a successful outcome. So without their other activities perhaps petitions would have been a waste of time, but combined with other activities they have been helpful I think by showing the general public that lots of people were concerned.

So I don't think petitions are absolute drivel even if they are treated with contempt. They can help and if it is easy to support one, ie one click to the page and one click to submit the message, then I reckon it helps bring more people into the equation.

Re: Success of online petitions
 

spot on T

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I always doubted the effectiveness of the online petitions for No:10 Downing St.
It struck me of another cynical ploy to keep us quiet. After all if Tony Blair really listened to the people of this country, then maybe we would not be in this mess.
So I for one will not be mourning it's passing, far from the current government not listening, I don't think any government has listened.
There is a way to be heard, go and see your MP.
I think Avvaz are claiming victory, but I cannot truely see how they succeeded where others have failed, more justof blind luck and claiming success.

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Totally agree Tealeaf, another thing is if you give your Email address will mean more spam in your spam box

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Perhaps you should consider using an E-alias. Construct a fake E-mail account and use that to vote with. It's worked for me for years. It's a genuine vote, but it can't be traced to you personaly. Why not try it?

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It depends where you leave your email address, Jaysay. Petitions for glamorous nurses will lead to spam but I've never had an extra load of spam from Avaaz or Human Rights First.

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Neither have I, but there again I've never had any inkling to contribute;)

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Complete waste of time in my opinions as are facebook ones. All that happens is that people sign up just for the sake of it often without a care for the subject. You even get people from other countries sticking the name down.

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To be honest I've thought that about facebook itself for a while now, am contemplating closing my account, especially with what happened a couple of weeks ago, orchestrated by some brain dead moron

Re: Success of online petitions
 

Is this why when I pressed the link that you had put up on FB round about that time, I was suddenly confronted by pics of nubile young ladies in advanced states of undress?

Mrs H happened to be standing behind me at the time and, believe me, I had a lot of explaining to do! :eek:

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the spugster had the same .. tho it was me & slinks who caught it and i warned him .. hes now closed his account .. .he's had enough its the second time hes been hacked ....

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As I did when I saw my daughter later that day, the first I knew about that link I supposedly posted was about 10.15pm when accyman rang me to tell me about it, to say I was furious was an understatement Wyn. The thing is I have never posted anything on facebook except comments on other peoples posts, I didn't even know how to remove it until accyman showed me the next day and then beefed up my settings, but even so, I am actually thinking of cancelling the account, so it looks like the a***hole who decided it was fun to **** about with somebody else life could have won, mainly because I can't be bothered trying to find out who it was, which is very luck for him (no chance of it being a woman) because he would have been sampling hospital food for a long time:mad::mad::mad:

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I assumed you weren't responsible, Jay, so I deleted it (after examining it very carefully for clues). ;)

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I don't click on most of the rubbish that is posted. I use it for keeping in touch with people I don't see often. Try and make your password secure and be careful what you do on the internet. Many trojans will collect your passwords and send them onto other. That is just the same on facebook or a forum or your email.

Its good to have different passwords for different sites. I have a few I use, one for on here is not used elsewhere, email, bank are different again and one for other forums I don't really care if it gets compromised although that one is strong anyway.

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I have never had Facebook problems, I think you get those when you indulge in the silly games they have.

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I think its just being careful. I dont pass on and dont often read email jokes for the same reason. SMS jokes are ok, I like sick, rude, non PC ones please :D

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I've never played any games Margaret

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Even though I think online petitions are a waste of time I don't think this chap is so I signed this one. (I know, I am full of it :rolleyes: )

Government Launches e-Petitions Website Guido Submits “Restoration of Capital Punishment” Petition - Guy Fawkes' blog

He is intending to start a real campaign for the re introduction of capital punishment for child and cop killers. A lot of people listen to what he has to say including the media and MP's.

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Ya I'm of the same mind Neil not fond of petitions but will sign this one:mosher:

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It wont work because our MP's are to soft and don't listen to us but I think the bloke doing it will make a big noise about it

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On line e-petitions are back
Government's e-petition website crashes on first day | Politics | The Guardian

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The local press seem to like quoting how many members of a Facebook protest group there are.

It was oft reported in the press when the closure of Peel Street toilets were closed, and an online campaign to reinstate them was started.

I think that probably helped highlight public feeling, rather than hinder it.

I've signed a few national petitions, but never thinking it will make much difference.

Perhaps it's just good for the soul, and makes you feel better.

Like confession seems to for Catholics.

:rolleyes:

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Gotta be honest it never made me feel any better.:D

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anyway, can I ask?...........Have you clicked today?

Please do it. Thank you.

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Fight -Breast Cancer- and provide -Mammograms- with a free click!
Here's a link to help you.
Cashy that will definitely make you feel better!

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Not clicked for a long time now.:D:D

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it always does,;)

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thanks Cashy....you're a star.
Benipete....if you click on the link I have provided, then at least you can tell everyone that you clicked today.....and it will be true.:)

Sorry mods I know this really hasn't anything to do with online petitions....except, yes it does.........I am petitionng for your favour by clicking the link.
Thank you in advance, and from all the women out there who will benefit from the generosity of your time.

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If your out like me bet ya can't remember the last time ya went:D:D

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Well done Marg, on bumping the link. Never missed a day since you first posted it;). As you will well know, I do the same once a year:D

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Thanks Odders I looked for the actual post to the link, but was a bit mithered...the tinlids are off school........thank you for the clicks. I click every day...sometimes more than once.:)


Make of that what you will :D