Janet Gogerty's Blog: Sandscript - Posts Tagged "palm-sunday"
Sandscript
Have you signed the petition? Thousands of others have - the online petition that is.
At the end of March the International Court of Justice in the Hague ordered Japan to stop granting permits for its Antarctic whaling programme, which allowed for the cull of up to one thousand whales each year. A victory for online petitioners? Of course Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd, real brave people in real ships, have been the ones at the forefront defending the ocean and the creatures that dwell there. But at home we on the internet are busy signing everyday, bumble bees to orangutans, every creature deserves a voice.
38degrees.org.uk , AVAAZ.ORG , SumOfUs.org and others offer the chance for many voices to be heard, the encouragement to the little person to start their own petition for a local issue. Of course sitting at your computer is easier than marching, safer than protesting on the streets, but it is a way open to everyone on the internet. And if one day that knock comes on the door from the Thought Police and you and your computer are taken away, then you know you have joined the noble ranks of those who risk everything to speak out.
What to protest against? Just about everything. Even if you have no money to invest, the bank that holds your humble little account may be investing in something harmful or unsustainable and so probably is the government you pay your taxes to. Can we assume that most governments care little about ordinary people, that big companies are more concerned for their shareholders than the environment?
Even if you don't sign, information is there on the internet making you aware of issues you didn't know existed and it is up to you to decide what are the true facts.
Today is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week. Online petitioners will be thinking of companies that do not use palm oil from sustainable sources. Others will be campaigning to save the humble animal that plays such an important role in the New Testament. Donkey Sanctuaries are popular, but there are a lot of overworked donkeys worldwide who need protection.
What will you sign? This week I have made sure a cabinet minister resigns, I am still trying to protect the Great Barrier Reef, ancient English woodlands and our local 'Noddy Train'.
At the end of March the International Court of Justice in the Hague ordered Japan to stop granting permits for its Antarctic whaling programme, which allowed for the cull of up to one thousand whales each year. A victory for online petitioners? Of course Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd, real brave people in real ships, have been the ones at the forefront defending the ocean and the creatures that dwell there. But at home we on the internet are busy signing everyday, bumble bees to orangutans, every creature deserves a voice.
38degrees.org.uk , AVAAZ.ORG , SumOfUs.org and others offer the chance for many voices to be heard, the encouragement to the little person to start their own petition for a local issue. Of course sitting at your computer is easier than marching, safer than protesting on the streets, but it is a way open to everyone on the internet. And if one day that knock comes on the door from the Thought Police and you and your computer are taken away, then you know you have joined the noble ranks of those who risk everything to speak out.
What to protest against? Just about everything. Even if you have no money to invest, the bank that holds your humble little account may be investing in something harmful or unsustainable and so probably is the government you pay your taxes to. Can we assume that most governments care little about ordinary people, that big companies are more concerned for their shareholders than the environment?
Even if you don't sign, information is there on the internet making you aware of issues you didn't know existed and it is up to you to decide what are the true facts.
Today is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week. Online petitioners will be thinking of companies that do not use palm oil from sustainable sources. Others will be campaigning to save the humble animal that plays such an important role in the New Testament. Donkey Sanctuaries are popular, but there are a lot of overworked donkeys worldwide who need protection.
What will you sign? This week I have made sure a cabinet minister resigns, I am still trying to protect the Great Barrier Reef, ancient English woodlands and our local 'Noddy Train'.
Sandscript
I like to write first drafts with pen and paper; at home, in busy cafes, in the garden, at our beach hut... even sitting in a sea front car park waiting for the rain to stop I get my note book out. We
...more
- Janet Gogerty's profile
- 19 followers
