Zippi08 Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Sometimes I see ads for online petitions and I read about them, and then sign them if it's concerning something worth signing for. Usually I don't sign much of those, but do they actually help? Do you guys think someone would do as they're told just because some 3000 or more people from around the globe have signed their names? Well, if it does, I thought we could start a thread with people posting different petitions once a week or something that is worth signing. I mean, when you sign petitions, you can get some of your friends to sign them as well. But I thought by posting them on a board where thousands of people frequently visit will be much more efficient. So, any opinions? Thanks for the sig, Runesmithie :)RIP Steve Irwin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusqi Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 I used to consider online petitions in the past as close to worthless. However, recently the leader of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK, Charles Kennedy, was forced to resign partially as the result of an online petition calling upon him to. It received quite a lot of media attention. Here is a link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4569012.stm I'm not sure why this petition was so effective compared to most other online petitions. Probably just because of the media attention, and because the people who organised it were previously supporters of the party. For it is the greyness of dusk that reigns.The time when the living and the dead exist as one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weezcake Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 They're worthless, unless maybe you can get two million+ and the media gets hold of it. ==================================Retired tip.it moderator.Teaching and inspiring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wl_daniel Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 They're worthless, unless maybe you can get two million+ and the media gets hold of it. Dito here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jak722 Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Well if they get like a good publicity like on the TV or daily newspaper, politicians and other people are bound to listen. I know of one petition atm, but you guys wouldn't know about it anyway. In anycase, its still something to show you care. :D The Enrichment Center reminds you that the weighted companion cube will never threaten to stab you and, in fact, cannot speak. In the event that the weighted companion cube does speak, the Enrichment Center urges you to disregard its advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4569012.stm I'm not sure why this petition was so effective compared to most other online petitions. Probably just because of the media attention, and because the people who organised it were previously supporters of the party. It's different because the people who signed were members of the liberal democrat party. I'm sure that if it was 3000 non members then it wouldn't have been as effective. I think he also left because of pressure from fellow LD MP's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusqi Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 I think he also left because of pressure from fellow LD MP's. Yes, eventually, but the online petition was the first I heard in the media about him having problems. It seemed to start off the process. For it is the greyness of dusk that reigns.The time when the living and the dead exist as one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercifull Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 as far as i know dusqi that the online petition came after the initial "back stabbing". Online petitions serve only to make the entrants feel better about themselves. Slacktivists thats all. Ive never known a single case when a sole online petition has changed something Mercifull <3 Suzi "We don't want players to be able to buy their way to success in RuneScape. If we let players start doing this, it devalues RuneScape for others. We feel your status in real-life shouldn't affect your ability to be successful in RuneScape" Jagex 01/04/01 - 02/03/12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runesmithie Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 as far as i know dusqi that the online petition came after the initial "back stabbing". Online petitions serve only to make the entrants feel better about themselves. Slacktivists thats all. Ive never known a single case when a sole online petition has changed something Oh good, so that Arrested Developement petition won't work then :D (but then neither will the Futurama one :( ... oh well ) I just posted something! ^_^ to the terrorist...er... kirbybeam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demeige Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 Most likely no. But chances are if a petition gets thousands of signs, the person/company/etc the petition is against or for will hear about it. How does a profession differ from an occupation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad4u689 Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 They're not entirely worthless when they're sent to the government, because they count and then take into consideration the raw number of people who send in either a letter or sign a petition in support or against any specific issue. It helps them keep track of public opinion, in a way, or at least an important sector of opinion, since these are people who are also often active in politics. Everybody hug and spread the love :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runesmithie Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 They're not entirely worthless when they're sent to the government, because they count and then take into consideration the raw number of people who send in either a letter or sign a petition in support or against any specific issue. It helps them keep track of public opinion, in a way, or at least an important sector of opinion, since these are people who are also often active in politics. IMO it seems like sending letters would have more effect than sending in a petition I just posted something! ^_^ to the terrorist...er... kirbybeam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hohto Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 If I wanted to make a petition, I'd go to streets and/or to people's doors, not to the Internet. Internet petitions almost never work and at least I'd trust more on something that people have signed with their own hand, not with something typed with a keyboard. Personally I don't sign online petitions because I don't believe they actually work. If they worked, Matti NykÃÆÃâÃâänen would sing at Eurovisions, the airport of Malmi would be left there and Finland would sign out from EU. I'd rather die for what I believe in than live for anything else.Name Removed by Administrator ~Turtlefemm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercifull Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.htm Nice article by snopes. Also using the word "slacktivist" which i love. Really describes the kinds of ppl that fill out online petitions Mercifull <3 Suzi "We don't want players to be able to buy their way to success in RuneScape. If we let players start doing this, it devalues RuneScape for others. We feel your status in real-life shouldn't affect your ability to be successful in RuneScape" Jagex 01/04/01 - 02/03/12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helmut4lyfe1988 Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 No, it's just a way for noobs to get their post count up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cupcake Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 No, it's just a way for noobs to get their post count up eeee....there is a website that host online petitions. Not sure whether it is free or not. Pppssst, real life petition don't exactly work anyway so I don't know why people bother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusqi Posted January 22, 2006 Share Posted January 22, 2006 You also have to remember that government doesn't want to make it seem as if an online petition (or any petition) has had an effect on decision making - because it might encourage petition writing, and make their job more difficult. For it is the greyness of dusk that reigns.The time when the living and the dead exist as one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos_Reborn Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I don't even know what petitions are lol :P Visit my Runescape comedy website, based on in-game screenshots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GhostRanger Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 They're not entirely worthless when they're sent to the government, because they count and then take into consideration the raw number of people who send in either a letter or sign a petition in support or against any specific issue. It helps them keep track of public opinion, in a way, or at least an important sector of opinion, since these are people who are also often active in politics. Its kind of like a GallupPoll or something. If 75% of America is polled at disliking something, politicians will adapt their policies to make sure the people don't riot against them. They aren't as powerful as a "real life" petition - but the voice of the people can always affect the strategies (not the actions necessarily) of politicians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubsa Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I think he also left because of pressure from fellow LD MP's. Yes, eventually, but the online petition was the first I heard in the media about him having problems. It seemed to start off the process. I think the fact that Charlie can't handle his drink might have started the process ;) This is how much you all raised for charity. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi08 Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 Well, after reading the article I guess what they're saying is true, that if you really, really wanted to make a difference you'd be out there doing something rather than sitting at home comfortably at your computer. Thanks for the sig, Runesmithie :)RIP Steve Irwin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusqi Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 if you really, really wanted to make a difference you'd be out there doing something rather than sitting at home comfortably at your computer. Yea, maybe, but I don't see why anything more than having an opinion on an issue should be necessary to change government policy? Since government is meant to represent our opinions. Why should someone have to go to a march and waste 5 hours of the day to tell the government that they have an opinion, in order for it to be taken account of? It's just a waste. For it is the greyness of dusk that reigns.The time when the living and the dead exist as one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercifull Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 @Dusqi: Because it proves true dedication to actually travel 10 hours to go on a march. Mercifull <3 Suzi "We don't want players to be able to buy their way to success in RuneScape. If we let players start doing this, it devalues RuneScape for others. We feel your status in real-life shouldn't affect your ability to be successful in RuneScape" Jagex 01/04/01 - 02/03/12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusqi Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 @Merficull: I don't have to show dedication in a restaurant when I'm ordering dinner. I don't have to do some test of 'worth' to make sure that I really do want what I'm ordering. I'm not saying that I don't understand why marches and such occur, because I do, I'm just saying that I don't like the reason for them being necessary. They're a reflection of politicians not taking account of our opinions unless the media forces them to. For it is the greyness of dusk that reigns.The time when the living and the dead exist as one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad4u689 Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 I agree with dusqi. Whether a person feels slightly vs. passionately about an issue shouldn't necessarily matter, because it's still one vote, either way. You shouldn't have to make a big show of your opinion for it to count. A representative should do just that - represent people - and thus it is zir (aka his/her) OWN responsibility to seek out the opinions of zir constituents. Everybody hug and spread the love :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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