Better to light a candle...
...than curse the darkness.
The words that made me become an Amnesty International member a few years ago. The motto of AI, quoted from an ancient chinese proverb by Peter Benenson, the founder of AI.
His belief that acts contrary to the basic unarguable rights of people not only should be stopped, but could be, via the gentle drip-drip of a thousand, or a million small voices. Public opinion as a defender of the people, and a changer of minds.
Amnesty were instrumental in the drafting and adoption of the United Nations Convention on Human Rights, which daily defends all of us against those that would wish to abuse their power.
There are good reasons why Amnesty got the Nobel Peace Prize, Peter Benenson was a good man who helped effect so much good in the world.
He died late on Friday night, may he rest peacefully and his work live on.
The words that made me become an Amnesty International member a few years ago. The motto of AI, quoted from an ancient chinese proverb by Peter Benenson, the founder of AI.
His belief that acts contrary to the basic unarguable rights of people not only should be stopped, but could be, via the gentle drip-drip of a thousand, or a million small voices. Public opinion as a defender of the people, and a changer of minds.
Amnesty were instrumental in the drafting and adoption of the United Nations Convention on Human Rights, which daily defends all of us against those that would wish to abuse their power.
There are good reasons why Amnesty got the Nobel Peace Prize, Peter Benenson was a good man who helped effect so much good in the world.
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He died late on Friday night, may he rest peacefully and his work live on.
posted by Orbling at
04:29
9 Comments:
Too right.
We should always live by that...
By
Orbling, at Sunday, February 27, 2005 5:08:00 am
I first heard about Amnesty International from Jennifer Anniston during the Friends peak. She often spoke out on human and animal rights. It's such a wonderful organization as you eliquintly descibed. I'm sure you've seen the link to it from my blog.
You've got such a big heart for people and critters. Do you have any pets?
By
Texas Gurl, at Sunday, February 27, 2005 11:39:00 pm
It is good when famous people use their fame for a good purpose. More should. If you have the ear or eye of the people, it should probably be used. Glad to hear that she does. :)
Curiously I did see the link on your blog only yesterday, must've been more sensitive to the logo than usual after I wrote this entry. Are you a member too? I've got an urgent action to do tonight, gotta mail the Governor of Indiana - another clemancy plea to administer.
It's annoying how often you have to tell people in power that two wrongs do not make a right.
My apparent love for people is misleading, there are aspects of humanity I love - but there are vast tracts of it that I despise. I love those people that rise above the natural tendencies of our race to be selfish, brutal and greedy. Having this blog has shown me that there are some of these people left in the world, that is the greatest thing it has given me.
Animals are another story. The Natural World, both animal and (possibly more) plant, is my first love. Nothing has higher priority for me than our environment, and the creatures within it.
When I was little I had a couple of rabbits, but I was never allowed more than that. My dad isn't a great lover of pets.
I do love being around animals, and get on equally well with cats, dogs, horses, whatever pets people have. Personally, I wouldn't choose to have pets if I lived alone as I prefer animals to be kept wild - but am always delighted to be with the pets of others. Though woe-betide anyone that causes an animal (or a tree) any harm in my sight.
I view humans as guardians of the other lifeforms of this planet, and to me it's like child abuse when people harm them.
Err, whoops, rant over. :$
By
Orbling, at Monday, February 28, 2005 12:27:00 am
http://www.l337admins.com/karl/karlexplainshis_hobbys.wav < karl explains his hobbys
http://www.l337admins.com/karl/karlexplains_music.wav < karl explains music
http://www.l337admins.com/karl/karl_appliesfor_blinddate.wav < karl applies for blind date
http://www.l337admins.com/karl/karl+explains+snow.wav < karl explains snow
no offence karl :P i was bored
By
Andrew, at Saturday, March 05, 2005 9:45:00 pm
ROFL
None taken, fairly amusing.
Bowls... A couple of my mates at school played that regularly, god knows why. It does rather look like the players are just passing time waiting to die. I do love grass, including the prickly stuff. Can't say I've fed the ducks recently, though I did buy a couple of duck items on eBay today for my nan. Though you were kinda right about the pub, I go every now and then, but never drink alcohol.
Mummy said it was naughty...!? LOL Who the hell was that from Pop Idol, I've not watched that show much. Ant & Dec are too annoying to watch, nevermind that Simon thingy person. Ride of the Valkyries does rock heavily though. My profile says what my favourite music genre's are. :p
Blind date... LOL, now I couldn't do that. I hate shoes... they are a pain to get, I'm size 14 UK. Though Beethoven's 5th is a good piece of music.
I do like snow to look at, but am not keen on it in general - gets in the way. But I love winter.
Did you script these before you did them? If they're adlibbed they're quite impressive, LOL.
You must've been *so* bored.
By
Orbling, at Sunday, March 06, 2005 2:11:00 am
Well reminded, must write to the local community group renovating my favourite park. Must save old edwardian style suburban parks...
Council won't do it, so we must.
By
Orbling, at Sunday, March 06, 2005 2:25:00 am
Glad to hear you're a member Steph, it's a worthy cause to fight for.
You'd be surprised just how much those letters can help. Even when the immediate objective fails, you can bet the recipients appreciate the effort, which would ease their hardship slightly. Long-term the constant force of will can, and does, change attitudes and practices the world over.
All that is needed for evil to thrive is for good people to standby and do nothing.
Here's to those that do something. Cheers!
By
Orbling, at Monday, March 07, 2005 3:37:00 am
Suspense? In my life...
I always try to remove that from my life. Always one for a mellow pace. :)
It won't be long before I post again, I've definitely got something to say about next weekend. Might post before then aswell, we will see.
By
Orbling, at Sunday, March 13, 2005 2:52:00 am
Thanks Mel, though I get a lot of flack for not doing posts about more general stuff... Your posts are always nice and lengthy, with lots to talk about - so I wouldn't worry. :)
Amnesty's main work consists of trying to persuade various nasty regimes in the world (the US government for instance), to stop doing whatever horrific thing they're presently doing.
The mainstay of this persuasion consists of a great many amnesty members all over the globe writing short letters to the people in control, informing them of our concerns and gently urging them to reconsider their position.
These letters are called Urgent Actions, and anyone can subscribe to the Urgent Action network, and be sent regular requests by Amnesty to send letters. The requests contain the information you would need to write a short letter of protest.
It's a little thing to do, but when multiplied by thousands or millions a few drops become a torrential downpour. They really make a difference, even if the authorities don't change their mind - it makes a difference to the victims to have that many people fighting for them.
Urgent Action Network (International)
Urgent Action Network (UK)
Urgent Action Network (USA)
Consider it.
By
Orbling, at Wednesday, March 16, 2005 11:55:00 pm
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