Great Brits

It is amazing how many Brits are out there doing their bit, the more I learn the more I discover Great Brits, Good Luck to Ed Stafford currently nearing the end of a 4,000 mile walk through the Amazon, it has taken him 2 years, Rosie Swale-Pope who ran round the world and is currently running 26 marathons in 26 days and... Mark Cooper who is planning to run 50 marathons in 56 days, Good Luck one and all.

The photos above show Ed with an electric eel, Rosie pulling 'Icebird' and Mark enjoying the seaside.

London Marathon

Well done to everyone who attempted and especially those that finished the London Marathon yesterday.

Millions of pounds will be raised from celebrities and ordinary people putting those trainees on and putting one foot in front of the other, it is very important and up lifting to have the support of the crowd, how I wish I had that luxury next year when I am traipsing through the Amazon.

I remember when I used to rum Marathons regular in the 80's (well I ran about 10) and when I ran the first few I ran at the same pace as good old Jimmy Saville and I remember how excited the crowd got but I soon got fed up and decided to run ahead of him so that when the crowd did cheer I stood a chance of it being for me, especially as I used to wear a red headband and some times people would shout things like 'Come on John' or 'well done McEnroe'.

How important is Laughter?

I am a great believer that on my travels through this world and life the one thing that seems to set the British apart from the rest of the world is our humour, I agree there is a fine line between what is acceptable and stepping over the mark but my fear is we are becoming obsessed with being 'politically correct'.

As much as I really believe in what I am doing I could not help but laugh when a good friend sent me the photo of the dogs in an email.

Avaaz

I am a proud member of the Avaaz network and have taken action on urgent global issues -- signing petitions and sending messages, our community is growing like wildfire (more than 50,000 people a week!) and we've made an unmistakable difference.
It is heartwarming to learn that likeminded souls working together can make a big difference.

Some of the recent success stories include:

Save the oceans was a huge win! The UK announced its plan to double the total global area of protected ocean with a massive new conservation zone bigger than Germany and Italy combined. In the public comment period before the decision, Avaaz members contributed more than 85% of the responses, urging a ban on commercial fishing and support for the island peoples' rights. It's a huge victory, and the Foreign Ministry cited the "over 221,000 responses co-ordinated by Avaaz... from 223 countries" in its announcement.

Elephants - with elephants at risk, 500,000 of us worldwide empowered the African Elephant Coalition with our support -- and, after a nail-biting close vote and final push with partners on the ground, won protection for elephants at a UN Endangered Species session. The head of the Species Survival Network said “the petition, no doubt, made a difference and helped achieve the right result for elephants everywhere."



Uganda - in an unprecedented show of public opposition to the proposed law that would sentence gay Ugandans to death, Avaaz worked with church leaders and human rights activists to deliver a 450,000-strong petition to the Speaker of Uganda's parliament in an hour-long meeting and a press conference that made headlines around the country and the world.

Parliament had been expected to begin debate in February -- but in the face of local and global pressure, Parliament still hasn't begun formal discussion. Some say the bill may be left to die in committee, potentially a quiet but extraordinary victory for human rights. Avaaz continues to work closely with allies to monitor the bill -- and stands ready to take action once more if it regains momentum.

Brazil anti-corruption - took a giant leap against political corruption in Brazil, adding Avaaz members' voices to a national push that will bring to a vote landmark legislation banning individuals convicted of serious crimes from standing for public office.

And much more!

• launched a drive for a million-signature Citizen's Initiative in the EU to ensure genetically modified crop regulation.

• raised almost $700,000 for an intensive, long-term campaign to fight the "rape trade"--the sexual enslavement of women and girls around the world.

• pressed Chevron's CEO to clean up his company's toxic legacy in the Amazon.

• defended human rights and judicial independence in Spain in the face of three controversial lawsuits against judge Baltasar Garzón and a fierce political campaign to destroy his career.

• mobilized support for a just two-state solution in the Middle East and against settlement construction in East Jerusalem.

• stood for civility and genuine debate in Israeli media -- and in U.S. media coverage of Israel and Palestine.

• ... the list goes on!

Through these campaigns, members of the Avaaz network--each of us--have made headlines, shifted policy, and changed lives. But in each of these campaigns, and on many other issues, the work continues.


Avaaz launched in 2007 with a simple, deeply democratic mission: to close the gap between the world we have and the world most people everywhere want. Since then, we have grown to link millions of people in every country on earth -- connecting to one another and taking action on urgent global issues. Each of us might only be able to offer a few minutes a week, but small actions add up -- and when hundreds of thousands of us, or even millions of us, join our voices together, we can change the world.

In fact, that's what Avaaz means in many languages: voice. (In others, more poetically, it means "song.")

To learn more go to:
www.avaaz.org

Let's Stop Bullfighting

Just received the following email today from the Humane Society International.
The bloody spectacle of bullfighting is responsible for the deaths of up to 250,000 animals worldwide every year. At bullfights, the audience cheers as animals are taunted, injured, and often killed.
Many veterinarians, zoologists and ex-matadors themselves agree that bulls are forced to endure unnecessary stress and suffering both in and out of the ring, all in the name of entertainment. Sign our petition asking that Catalonia ban this cruel practice!
Bullfighting is already banned in many countries, and although it is still legal in both Spain and Mexico, some cities in both nations have independently outlawed the practice of bullfighting.
Catalonia may be next. After an overwhelming demonstration of public support for an end to bullfighting, with local citizens collecting over 180,000 signatures, the Catalonian government is due to vote on the future of bullfighting in the region.
This vote could be a historic step towards ending the brutal spectacle of bullfighting.
Please join us and the citizens of Catalonia in sending a message to the Catalonian government, explaining how you support an end to bullfighting and encouraging them to take a stand against cruel bullfights.
Sincerely,

Mark Glover
Director
Humane Society International/Europe