murly
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Life's my light and liberty and I shine when I want to shine.
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Post by murly on Nov 14, 2012 10:07:50 GMT -5
People all over the world are signing online petitions to nominate Malala Yousafzai for the Nobel Peace Prize. Most of you probably know that Malala is the 15-year-old girl from Pakistan who has been vocal about demanding education for girls in that part of the world, and for her efforts, she was shot in the head by members of the Taliban. She is recovering from her wounds, thank goodness.
The Taliban may not realize it, but their actions against Malala prove that they are afraid of her power and influence. Those are the very qualities for which we should honor her. Please sign this petition and let's hope that Malala is fully recovered by the time the next Nobel prizes are rewarded so she can accept her award in person.
Nominate Malala for the Peace Prize
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skylar
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Post by skylar on Nov 21, 2012 17:28:20 GMT -5
I battle deep nausea and significant levels of hatred when I see things like this. When does it stop?... Only when we make it stop. From AllOut.org: "Uganda's infamous "Kill the Gays" bill is back. If it passes, this horrific law would allow the death penalty for lesbian and gay Ugandans. It could pass at any moment. President Museveni once promised to veto this heinous bill. But Uganda's politicians are desperate to pass the bill and they're pressuring Museveni to give in. The Speaker of the Parliament is actually calling it a "Christmas gift" to Uganda! Last May, millions of us stood up with activists from across Uganda to stop this very same law - and it worked. Now we have to do it again. We need to take action and share this far and wide. We need every voice to build a massive outcry that the media and world leaders can't ignore. The pressure could be enough to stop this bill in its tracks: www.allout.org/ugandaAccording to our partners, the bill is now up for debate and can be voted on at any moment. As Ugandan politicians work to finalize the the text of the bill, one thing is clear - if passed, it will force lesbian, gay, bi and trans Ugandans into the shadows. Despite global opposition, some politicians in Uganda refuse to give up the bill and one is even calling for a new regional law, that would send every gay person in Africa to jail – for life. If this bill passes in Uganda, it wouldn't just mean tragedy for gay and lesbian Ugandans – it could set off a domino effect across the continent. Will you add your name and ask your friends to sign with you now? www.allout.org/ugandaThese politicians are using homophobia to distract Ugandans – and the world – from the very real problems they're supposed to be addressing at home, from corruption to freedom of the media. They're playing political games with people's very lives and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans Ugandans will pay a steep price if they win. With millions of us together, we helped knocked this bill off course once before. Our friends in Uganda need to know we still have their backs. Sign now and then ask your friends to get on board – there's no time to lose! www.allout.org/ugandaThis global movement for the simple right to live and love freely is unstoppable. But, as this hateful bill shows, there are still many hurdles in the historic battle for human rights and full equality. This is one of those milestone moments, and by raising your voice you are making a huge difference. Thanks for going All Out. Best, Andre, Hayley, Jeremy, Sara and the rest of the All Out team. SOURCES: Uganda's anti-gay bill to be passed by end of year www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/official-ugandas-anti-gay-bill-to-be-passed-by-end-of-year-despite-criticism-abroad/2012/11/12/a4f5d3b8-2cb4-11e2-b631-2aad9d9c73ac_storyUganda's President to block "Kill the Gays" Bill www.76crimes.com/2012/06/18/uganda-president-ill-block-kill-the-gays-billUgandan Parliament Speaker pushes for "Kill the Gays" bill www.thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/10/31/1117031/ugandan-parliament-speaker-pushes-for-kill-the-gays-billUgandan lawmaker calls for all homosexuals to be jailed for life www.gaystarnews.com/article/uganda-lawmaker-calls-all-african-gay-people-be-jailed-life111012 |
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Post by seoulmate on Nov 22, 2012 2:29:23 GMT -5
Thank you, skylar. Signed and sent.
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skylar
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Post by skylar on Dec 6, 2012 23:26:43 GMT -5
 Is this true?? This would mean that the US and Allied countries made the decision. |
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Post by midwifespal on Dec 14, 2012 14:47:31 GMT -5
Hey Folks. I hope this isn't too political to put here. I just wanted to post some information, and urge US Atoppers who are upset about today's horrific school shooting to contact the White House and their local representatives to ask them to do something about it. Here's a link where you can email the White House. For too long, our politicians have been afraid to act on this cause. I have no problem with our long tradition of hunting in this country. To pin this issue on the hunters is unfair to the hunters--hunting rifles are not felling dozens of children in minutes. And it is definitely not fair to the children. A clear majority of voters favors the re-institution of the assault weapons ban, and also favors a ban on clips that allow for the rapid firing of bullets. There have been almost 50 mass shootings in the US this year. ALMOST 50. Almost all of those involved weapons that were legally purchased and carried. Weapons designed for war--weapons actually designed to kill as many human beings as possible in seconds. Such weapons have NO PLACE on our streets. This is not a complicated issue. But our leaders in Washington need to know we have their backs. Here's the link: www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-commentsYou can also call and write letters. The more people speak up on this issue, the better our chances of changing things. I just saw a video of the White House Press Secretary saying today was not the day to discuss policy issues. He's right. That day passed a long long time ago. We just can't keep on saying, as we did after the shootings at Columbine High School, after the shootings at Virginia Tech, after the shootings in Tuscon, Arizona, after the shootings in Aurora, Colorado, after the shootings in Wisconsin, and Alabama, and Oregon, that now is not the time to talk about gun control. It is already far, far too late to be having this conversation. As the wise man once said, if not now, when? ETA: How to contact your reps: www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2012 15:18:33 GMT -5
Thank you mwp! I couldn't agree with you more.
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murly
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Post by murly on Dec 14, 2012 16:31:00 GMT -5
Well said. Thank you for your post, mwp. I'll be contacting my representatives on this issue (although I'm pessimistic that anything will change, given the clout of the NRA).
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Post by midwifespal on Dec 14, 2012 18:38:47 GMT -5
Thanks, guys. Just wanted to add the link to the White House petition Adam returned on twitter: wh.gov/RN6UIf it says: "you've already signed this petition," then just create an account, log in, go to open petitions, and find the one with the most signatures and you'll be able to sign it too. Good on Adam. Seriously. |
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mahailia
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Post by mahailia on Dec 14, 2012 23:25:53 GMT -5
Guns don't kill people, people kill people.
I was horrified by the news today, and mwp is right, there are too many of these types of terrible tragedies. It is scary.
However, the people that do these kinds of things are mentally ill, unbalanced or severely disturbed, or possibly hopped up on drugs. You can find out how to build a bomb on the internet, and you can buy the necessary items at your local farm supply, grocery or hardware store. Should we ban the internet and these common items because of this?
I believe the same idea applies to guns. Did you know that more people are killed in auto accidents than by guns? Why don't we ban automobiles?
I live very near the Mexican border, and the drug cartels are moving in very fast down here. They have plenty of assault rifles. If we don't, how will we protect ourselves? The Border Patrol can't even protect themselves, and are not allowed to shoot these invaders. If they do, they get sent to jail. Recently, in my county 6 illegals broke in to a neighbor's ranch and stole guns and destroyed property. They were caught, and the resulting trial has cost our county almost 1 million dollars in providing them with attorney fees and court costs. We live in an area where there is real danger.
I am NOT in favor of banning assault rifles. The drug cartels have them, the criminals have them, the gangs have them. If they are completely banned, the above mentioned groups will still find ways to get them and use them. Law abiding citizens will not be able to protect themselves, and will be out gunned and unable to defend themselves.
Today I bought an assault rifle for dh for Christmas, he is excited about it, and it is going to be fun to shoot, and we don't plan on using it on anyone. It is, however, also deadly, should we need to protect ourselves out here in this wilderness. And yes, I am a card carrying member of the NRA, and damn proud of it.
The bottom line is that if these guns are banned, the outlaws and crazies will still find them and use them, and good people, like me, will be unable to protect ourselves. These guns are being made and sold, and will continue to be available, and a ban on them will only drive the black market and more criminal activity.
It would be far wiser to take a closer look at the social conditions driving the people that commit these attrocities. This has been coming on now for 50 years, and our society is falling apart. Why?
IMO, it all started when prayer was banned in our schools. Think about it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2012 0:26:40 GMT -5
I am glad this thread is here for discussion today. Just felt the need to say something. I did not know what had happened until my husband got home. His grandkids are in elementary school a couple of towns over from the shooting and he did not initially know which town. He does not show his emotions much but it must have been scary. He waited to hear what town before contacting his son. I spoke to my stepson this evening and he told me that a friend of a friend of his that he does not know personally had a child killed but its all so confusing at the moment so I am not sure - a lot to take in. This brought back memories of DUNBLANE in Scotland when 15 5 and 6 year olds and their teacher were killed. I looked up the worst shootings in the UK. If you wikipedia DUNBLANE HUNGERFORD and CUMBRIA you will see that the guns used to kill in the first 2 were legally owned by crazies and the shotgun in CUMBRIA was legally owned I think too. These 3 shootings killed more than 40 people in the UK and after the first two everything except .22 target pistols and shotguns were outlawed. It seems that outlawing assault type weapons helps keep them away from crazies - and I guess regular criminals who will always have guns are not the ones who do these mindless massacres.
I just watched the Adam stream, needed that today. I always find him such a bright light when things around are sad.
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