Global public outcry about the war in the Middle East

For more than four weeks now we've watched the bloodshed in the Middle East with horror. For a month, global and regional leaders have stood by and failed to take the necessary action to stop the violence. Thousands of innocent civilians have been killed or wounded in the bombings in Lebanon, Palestine and Israel and the death toll is rising every day. If the US, Syria or Iran get involved, there is a chance of a catastrophic larger war.

Finally, last weekend, the US and France reached agreement on a plan. But it's now clear that this flawed compromise plan, which did not call for both sides to stop all attacks, has failed to curb the violence.

This is unacceptable! Over a thousand innocent civilians have already been killed, thousands more wounded, and almost a million people have been made homeless.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called for an immediate ceasefire and the deployment of international troops to the Israel-Lebanon border, and been strongly supported by almost every world leader. This is the best proposal yet to stop the violence, but the US, the UK, and Israel have refused to accept it.

Now is the time to act! People around the world must tell their leaders to speak out and support Kofi Annan's proposal. If we can persuade our governments to unite in demanding a ceasefire, all sides in this conflict will be pressured to stand down.

I have just signed a petition calling on US President Bush, UK Prime Minister Blair, and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert to support Kofi Annan's proposal. If millions of people join this call, and we advertise our views in newspapers in the US, UK, and Israel, we can help pressure these leaders to stop the fighting. Please sign this petition and ask your friends, family and colleagues to do the same.

The UN Security Council needs to know that the world is watching them, and that anything less than an immediate ceasefire is not good enough.

Click below to sign this petition demanding that the members of the UN Security Council take immediate action to end this bloodshed.

http://www.ceasefirecampaign.org/mo/en.html

Please sign the petition today, and then spread the word by forwarding this website address onto all your friends and family. The goal is to deliver a petition to the Security Council with 1 million signatures, and to publicize the petition in major newspapers in the capitals of the US, UK, France and other Security Council members.

NB
Groups and leaders from across the world and from diverse perspectives agree that an urgent ceasefire is an important part of resolving this crisis. Most countries of the world, from Lebanon to Tanzania to India, have called for a ceasefire, and have been joined by major international NGOs such as Oxfam and Amnesty International. Christian leaders such as Pope Benedict XVI, and the World Council of Churches have also called for a ceasefire. Arab and Muslim organizations such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Arab League have also been joined by Israeli and Jewish groups such as Meretz Israel, Degel HaTorah, and Brit Tzedek v'Shalom in calling for a ceasefire.

Your ideal society

The word 'Utopia' refers to the notion or idea of a perfect world - a perfect society.

With all that is happening in our world, I often question what our lives would be like if it were a perfect society.

What would be your ideal society?
What would it look like?

The end of the world

If you believed the world will finish tomorrow, what would you say and do?

Winning the lottery

If you believed that you had just won the lottery, what would you say and do?

Serving others

Sometimes people say:

"Why should we help people who are poor? It usually is their fault; either they are lazy or they have not used their resources and opportunities wisely."

How would you respond to this?

WELL DONE, BRITISH AIRWAYS!

This scene took place on a British Airways flight between Johannesburg, South Africa and London, England. A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air hostess. "You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."

"Be calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available." The hostess went away and then came back a few minutes later. "Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in the Economy Class. I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is also no seat in the Business Class. All the same, we still have one place in the First Class."

Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued. "It is not usual for our company to permit someone from the Economy Class to sit in the First Class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone sooooo disgusting." She turned to the black guy, and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First Class."

At that moment, the other passengers, who'd been shocked by what they had just witnessed, stood up and applauded.

This email has been making the rounds and I received it late in 2005. I thought as it is a true story, I would post this on my blog site to ask if any of you have experienced, seen or heard any racist situations. If you have and comfortable in sharing, I would love to hear how it made you feel and how you reacted in that situation.