Agreed, Jane!
Striking rate seems to be down to 1,000 an hour now - 4 am tomorrow then?
rising 965,000 at 11.30
:-D
I do hope that this post has brought Avaaz to the attention of more SFN’ers.
They help me to take part in problems which are affecting other parts of the world, political, social and environmental whilst living down my petit chemin France.
If the topic is not one with which you are particularly in agreement, there is no need to sign.
On the other hand, if there is a subject which particularly concerns you, you can put that forward as the subject for a petition.
Avaaz has achieved an enviable reputation in the short time it has been operating and is taken very seriously throughout the world.
It takes no time to sign up and enables us to take part in world affairs.
:-)
Perhaps 'gratingly'? ;-)
:-) I also think a spelling topic would be great - I make many more "typos" than most - and the annoy me greatly :-) Or should that be grately?!?!?!
Yes, but combine too many pills, late in the day and diminishing contact with English and there is an increasing need for corrections ;-)
Thanks Graham for your kind comments. I have found everyone's responses fascinating. Sorry to be a pedant Brian but isn't it cinch? Perhaps I could start another topic on spelling which is one of my bugbears. They all said my grammar school education was wasted...........
Anyway look forward to more enlightening remarks.
It has only been about a week to gather (+/-) 1,000,000 signatures - and it is still running at about 1 new signatory every two seconds. Our politicians took somewhat longer, sitting on their hands and hoping it will all go away.
Not sure what to make of Hollande! He always looks like a startled rabbit and my immediate re-action (possibly very unfair!) was that he had simply grasped his 15 minutes of fame to strut the world stage!
It *is* a bit bizarre in today's world, as Brian so cogently points out - Vlad the Peacemaker??? Ho Hum - enjoy your Thursday!!!
Feeble to say, but 'silly' is putting it mildly... Mind you are Dave and Barack looking convincing with Vlad the Impaler making sensible diplomatic suggestions?
960,000 at 0700. A bit slow, but a few hours either way.
Brilliant :-)
80,000 required for the avaaz million. Should be a sinch by the morning :-D
Thanks for saving me saying more or less the same Graham. I could not agree more. The only point I am at odds with, Judith, is the notion of Cameron being cunning. Neither he nor Miliband did anything notable, both fumbled and Miliband called the motion that won, no more than that.
First of all, thank you for having set this hare running! It has been fascinating, apart from anything else. Been meaning to say thank you for some days!!
My own belief is that both Cameron and Obama were in collusion - neither wanted war, simply because it is too blooming expensive - but both needed to be *seen* to be rattling the sabres. As Brian pointed out, the US defense industries are a very powerful lobby and without doubt this "anti-war" President neede to be seen to *do* something. I find the "urgent" recall of the UK Parliament just a couple of days before they were due back anyhow more than a bit curious.
Whatever, the policy seems to have worked!! Maybe..... If Syria is forced to dispose of all of its wdm (preventing Al Quaeda gaining access) - brilliant. If Putin wants to claim the credit - and I really also think that, whatever his motivation, he will be seen as having been a moderating force - so be it!
As for M Hollande's motivation......
Could it possibly be that Cameron has been cleverer than we think? Keeping Obama onside by saying we'll be standing beside you guys whilst saying it has to go to parliament. Then he has a get out because 'parliament has spoken and must be obeyed'. Now Obama will be hoping the same thing will happen with congress which lets him off the hook. Or am I suggesting cunning on the part of Cameron that he just doesn't possess?
I can think of another group who would be lobbying their socks off too ;)
I *bet* they were!!! At least Putin doesn't have to suffer that!!!
True, but the big 'leaders' of industry who just happen to own armaments manufacturing were becoming very politically active in the USA and no doubt were lobbying their socks off elsewhere.