BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again

Subject: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 12:49 PM

Here what Dan Rather has to say: HERE. (Scroll down for video.) It really does make a difference!

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 03:08 PM

Dan, Rather is wrong. It was far more than that petition. I attended a a protest at and a meeting about BoA with our local "Occupy" group. The petition had no part.

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: Don Firth
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 03:20 PM

Kat, I got the web site, but I couldn't get the video to work (just a blank screen). That set me to googling and I came up with all kinds of stuff. Could this be the video?

CLICKY #1.

Here's another interesting one I ran across.   CLICKY #2.

I get really tweaked-off at the folks (many on these threads) who keep saying, "The Forces of Evil are too strong. There's nothing anyone can do!" I never have believed that, and when I see and talk with some of the people here in Seattle who are mirroring the Occupy Wall Street movement with Occupy Westlake Park, and when I hear of the effectiveness of on-line petitions, I can't help but conclude that those who complain, but are too cowed to get involved are their own worst enemies.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: Don Firth
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 03:53 PM

Well, maybe not, Jack, but I can't help but think that it will as the "close my account" move gains momentum.

Take a look at THIS.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 01:24 PM

I often add my name to online petitions although I am not sure they are taken as seriously as old fashioned ones that we signed with pens. I also send a lot of emails to the appropriate (maybe they should be called "inappropriate") people about things that upset me.

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 01:38 PM

I have also signed a lot of on-line petitions. The ones aimed at my two Senators and my Congressional Representative always get a response. Sure, it's a form letter, but in all cases, they respond with their position on the subject of the petition, so they ARE getting the word, and they ARE having to think about it.

And if you're on top of things, you can always find out how they voted on any given issue. And you're always free to bypass the petition process and write to them personally, or call their office (most have toll-free numbers). Your chances of talking to them personally are slim to none, but you're a VOTER, and you've shown that you are ACTIVELY interested in the issue.

I've forgotten what the figure is, but politicians know that each voice that takes the trouble to sign a petition, write to them, or call them represents many, many others who feel the same way but remain silent.

Your reach is longer than you may think!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 12:35 PM

Netflix is a getting a dose of the same medicine. They are actually sending me "FREE" offers to come back.
As to BofA. I suggested to many fellow workers to check into credit unions. They switched their accounts. The journey of a thousand miles starts with but a single step.

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 03:20 PM

Directed activities, such as petitions and boycotts can be amazingly effective.

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 04:15 PM

Good for you, Sins! We stayed with netflix, but only the online AND posted about their stupidity at a petition site on FB. They've sure changed their tune!

Thanks for the other links and info, Don. This should take you to the YOUTUBE version of the video link I posted.

I am glad to see the majority of you see the continuing effectiveness of petitions.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 02:05 PM

Don't remember hearing anything about Netflix. What did they do?

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 02:30 PM

Read All About It.:-)

Neat report from Courage Campaign in Oakland California when they delivered their petition:

"A triumph. November 2, 2011 was simply a triumph for all of us who stand in solidarity with Occupy Oakland.

"Our day started early. We packed the car with over 700 signs, dozens of T-shirts, and one massive petition signed by 22,643 Courage members. I met up with Courage volunteers a few blocks from Frank Ogawa Plaza. Everyone put on a rally T-shirt, and off we went into City Hall. City Council President Larry Reid's chief of staff came out to meet us, accepted our petition, and assured us they were moving forward with a timely, transparent investigation into Tuesday night's police brutality. We told him words are nice, but we won't rest until we see results.

"We then marched to join our allies in the labor and social justice movement. The Alameda Central Labor Council was cooking warm meals for anyone who was hungry. Throughout the day they fed over 4,000 people! We began handing out the beautiful signs you paid to create. At 14th and Broadway, people from all walks of life grabbed the signs and held them high. Speakers thundered inspiring words, the crowd replied in kind, and soon the march began. Click here to see photos of the day.

"All day long, Occupy Oakland moved through the streets in a joyful parade chanting and singing for economic justice. A few hoodlums acted out by vandalizing property, but the vast majority -- the 99% of the 99% -- stepped in and shut down such behavior. The march eventually moved to the Port of Oakland -- the fifth largest port in the United States -- and shut it down, showing how powerful we can be when we come together as one. And did police attack? No. They played their proper role as peace officers."

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: Don Firth
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 02:36 PM

As I understand it, in their infinite wisdom, NetFlix decided to split the company. As it was, you could subscribe to receiving a DVD of a movie on a regular basis (watch and return, then they send you the next one on your queue), or you could chose to watch the movie on-line. All for one fee.

Then, they decided to change it into TWO services: receive a DVD in the mail OR watch on-line—with a separate charge for each service.

Drew a great deal of flak from unhappy subscribers, and the last I heard (somebody update me if I'm behind the times), they're re-evaluating that decision.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: Don Firth
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 02:54 PM

Cross posted.

Wow, that was quick. Thanks for the info, Kat!

Don Firth

Subject: :BS: "Think petitions" have psychic protest power
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 03:05 PM

We are past petitions, but they have their place.

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 04:53 PM

Donuel--Since when is aimless demonstration (with or without drums) more effective than petitions? A specific example would be appreciated.
Of course, the most effective force is called the vote.

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 07:43 PM

I feel such pride when I hear about the 99% who are there and being so peaceful, yet assertive. NPR reported that a group of them were going around removing graffiti left by vandals.

Subject: Petition for OWS & First Amendment Rights
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 05:46 PM

Now, after the police raids on the protesters, there is a petition you can sign asking the Mayors of US cities to support our First Amendment rights. You may read it HERE.

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 08:16 PM

"the most effective force is called the vote"

I am sorry to say, dick, that that is only so when you have at least one viable political party to vote for that has NOT sold out to ruling vested interests (meaning major corporations, large banks, and the military-industrial complex).

And we do not have such a party to vote for at present. Not in the USA. Not in Canada. Not in the UK. Perhaps not anywhere in the entire western world.

Nor do we have a viable mainstream media source that has not sold out to those same vested interests.

We do have the Internet, however. It's still an arena of genuinely free speech. That may not last much longer if your government has its way.

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Nov 11 - 11:02 AM

For someone who writes so well about esoteric things, etc. you sure do like affirming the negative, LH. Remember the power of words?

Anyway, another instance where a petition has resulted in direct and important action:

Please CliCK HERE.

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 19 Nov 11 - 01:37 PM

LH-You don't have to look for a party to vote for; get a sizeable bunch of folks together to make sure that the worst candidates are defeated, and the best get elected. It's no coincidence that the Tea Party is stifling any even-slightly-moderate Republican candidates. The effectiveness of this strategy wss clearly demonstrated in the 2010 elections.
BTW--petitions in New Jersey have successfully blocked fracking activity, and nationally, petitions have at least delayed the proposed pipeline from Canada down through the US.

Subject: RE: BS: Think petitions don't work? think, again
From: EBarnacle
Date: 19 Nov 11 - 04:21 PM

Dick got there first with his comment about the fracking protest. Regrettably, the vote is only postponed, not cancelled. We have to keep the pressure on so the commission members and governors don't believe we've gone away satisfied.