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Petition Tag - welfare
1. Stop Illegal Immigration and Deport Criminal Immigrants 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_the_United_States
http://www.westernjournalism.com/obama-gives-illegal-aliens-phones-for-votes/
http://www.usillegalaliens.com/impacts_of_illegal_immigration_economic_costs.html
2. Demand the labeling of palm oil in cosmetic products
The Sumatran orangutan society, have been very successful in campaigning to get palm oil labeled in all products who use it. They have recently won their clear labels, not forests campaign and it is now compulsory for all food products containing palm oil to be labeled in Europe and the UK. However this does not cover all products...cosmetics are not included in this campaign but i believe they should be.
The palm oil industry is responsible for destroying thousands of acres of deforestation in other countries. Currently 300 football fields are destroyed in south east Asia every hour for palm oil. And it's not just the vegetation that is being affected! The animals that rely on the forest (such as orangutans) are affected, many orangutans have no place to go when the forest is destroyed. 20 years ago their were more than 300,000 Bornean orangutans in the wild, now their are less than 45,000 in the wild. Orangutans only give birth once in 6 - 10 years therefore it is hard for them to breed as much as they are dying out due to deforestation.
Please go to http://www.wspa.org.uk/wspaswork/orangutans/ for more information on orangutans.
But worst of all the industry does not even label palm oil! Most palm oil is labeled as vegetable oil, therefore many people are unaware that it is in their shopping products. This is taking away our freedom to know what exactly goes into our cosmetics, it takes away are choice of whether or not to use palm oil! This is wrong, they should label palm oil and deliberately point out if it is palm oil free!
3. Demand palm oil be labeled!
Today palm oil is used in lots of shopping products, some of which includes pears soap, pringles, most peanut butters, clover, ginsters, haribo, Good fellas pizza, warburtons and much more. Unfortunately I wouldn't be mentioning this if it didn't have such an affect on the environment.
The palm oil industry is responsible for destroying thousands of acres of deforestation in other countries. Currently 300 football fields are destroyed in south east Asia every hour for palm oil. And it's not just the vegetation that is being affected! The animals that rely on the forest (such as orangutans) are affected, many orangutans have no place to go when the forest is destroyed. 20 years ago their were more than 300,000 Bornean orangutans in the wild, now their are less than 45,000 in the wild. Orangutans only give birth once in 6 - 10 years therefore it is hard for them to breed as much as they are dying out due to deforestation.
Please go to http://www.wspa.org.uk/wspaswork/orangutans/ for more information on orangutans.
But worst of all the industry does not even label palm oil! Most palm oil is labeled as vegetable oil, therefore many people are unaware that it is in their food. This is taking away our freedom to know what exactly goes into our food, it takes away are choice of whether or not to eat palm oil! This is wrong, they should label palm oil and deliberately point out if it is palm oil free!
4. A Different Side of Animal Cruelty
Most Americans are aware that animals are abused and neglected daily. It is a saddening fact. There are many groups and organizations who aim to stop this cruelty to animals, such as the ASPCA. However, domestic animal abuse is not the only problem. There is another terribly depressing issue, which completely violates animal rights. Worse yet, our American government is doing very close to nothing to stop it. This is exactly why we, as citizens of the United States of America, must speak up and act out, in order to call on our government to fix these problems.
Overpopulation is a huge problem. Dogs and cats are overpopulated as is, yet greedy breeders and puppy mill owners get more and more each and every day, for the sole purpose of money. Although some puppy mills and breeders might actually care, many are careless when it comes to the wellbeing of the animals; they only want their money. As a result of this greed, numbers of euthanized animals are skyrocketing each year.
There are statistics now that in recent years, seven to eight million dogs and cats wound up in animal shelters. Of that ridiculously high number, three to four million were euthanized by the shelter due to overpopulation or disease. This is an absolutely outrageous HALF of the dogs and cats who go to a "shelter" annually and end up dead. All because said breeders and puppy mill owners continue to make more.
5. Petition to review income assistance legislation in British Columbia
The first increase in 15 years to people on income assistance in British Columbia was in 2007 in the amount of $50.00 per month, while the MLA's voted themselves a, reported, 28.78% increase that same year.
MLA's salaries are $101,859.00 per year with additional compensation of 50% of base salary if they hold a portfolio. The premier's salary is an additional $91,673.00 per year plus 50% of base for holding a portfolio, Total salary approximately $250,000.00 per year. increases have been received annually according to consumer price index with exception of 2010 and 2011, (source Provincial Comptroller).
With the electorate basically being their employer, when was the last time you could give yourself a raise?
With the recent world financial crisis people, dependent on legislated assistance are increasingly financially stressed to keep roofs over their heads or food on the table.
Current assistance for accommodation for housing for a single person is $375 per month; living allowance $235 per month. This is unreasonable and long overdue for review to reflect actual costs.
6. UK Disabled Community Against Welfare & Benefit Cuts
The UK Disabled Community needs to send a clear and unequivocal message in one unified voice to call on the Coalition Government to see us all as equal members of society and not treat us as a tool to steal our disability benefits and services to bail out the Country in this time of Financial Crisis.
Can we set a precedence to get 1 million signatures so that the Coalition Government will have no option but to take note of us and not just ignore or deflect our arguments & comments and to stop building this climate of hate against disabled people.
Please leave a question for your Local MP to pose to the Coalition Government, which we will add to the Petition when we deliver it to No.10.
7. Petition for Lifeline's Plea for Hornsby Council Support
A significant number of Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury’s face-to-face counselling and support services are at risk of closure due to Lifeline’s own crisis struggle for financial viability and sustainability. Wendy Carver, Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury’s CEO, said “It would be an absolute tragedy if any of Lifeline’s services ceased to operate and stopped being able to provide support to people in need in our own local community.”
Lifeline has therefore reached out to Hornsby Council for assistance. Lifeline’s hope is that Hornsby Council will be able to provide them with a Council owned retail property at a subsidised rent which will assure financial survival of their multiple counselling and community services from revenue raised through the selling of high quality second hand clothing, books, brick a brac and furniture. This will ensure residents of Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai are able to continue to receive the support they deserve and need.
For over 40 years Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury, based at Gordon, has been providing a wide range of counselling and community service to residents of the North side of Sydney with some services having between 40-50% of clients residing in the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai Municipalities.
For more information on our services visit our website http://www.lifeline-h2h.org.au/
Please support Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury by signing this petition.
8. Stop Testing cosmetics on Animals
There are still many cosmetics companies and pharmaceutical companies testing products on helpless, defenceless animals this is totally inhumane especially when there are many others ways this can be done.
Please back our campaign to BAN this for good.
9. Stop Unnecessary Quarantine For Pets Entering Australia
At present, there is compulsory quarantine for all pets entering Australia, from 1 month to 6 months depending on where the animal is coming from. There are also some countries from which animals must complete 6 months quarantine in another country before being allowed to do some quarantine in Australia.
Apart from the fact that quarantine is exorbitantly expensive it is also considered inhumane in many countries, particularly when pets are coming from countries that do not have rabies or vaccination rules that are equally stringent to Australia.
Europe introduced the PETS program which allows pets from most countries in Europe and a large number or non European countries (including Australia) to move freely around Continental Europe and the UK without any quarantine.
Animals face an extremely long and stressful flight from other countries to Australia and are then expected to stay in a concrete floored barred cell for at least one month rather than experiencing the comfort of being with their families. It is true that families are allowed to visit their pets, but quarantine places are usually in distant locations with their permitted visiting hours usually only during working hours, when presumably pet owners will be at work.
10. PharmaCare and Consumer Loyalty Points
Beginning in July, a new Pharmacy Services Agreement will come into effect and loyalty programs will be allowed but only on the portion of the prescription paid for by the patient. Details as follows:
On July 7, 2010, the Province of BC concluded an agreement (the Pharmacy Services Agreement) with the BC Pharmacy Association and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores. This agreement sets out significant changes to the Pharmacy Participation Agreement that defines the Province’s relationship with pharmacies that submit claims to the PharmaCare program.
In recognition of these changes, the Province developed the PharmaCare Enrolment Agreement to replace existing Pharmacy Participation Agreements.
The Agreement disallows pharmacies from offering inducements to secure prescription orders, or in relation to the provision of a drug, medical supply, or service on the portion of the cost of that drug, supply or service paid for or reimbursed by the Province through PharmaCare.
The Agreement defines “inducement” as: “consideration including, but not limited to, cash, points, loyalty points, coupons, discounts, goods, rewards and similar schemes which can be redeemed for a gift or other benefit.”
Inducements to secure prescription orders were previously prohibited under the former Pharmacy Participation Agreement that defined the Province’s relationship with pharmacies that submit claims to the PharmaCare program. The Pharmacy Participation Agreement stated: “No goods or considerations beyond those approved in negotiations between the Government of British Columbia and the British Columbia Pharmacy Association shall be offered by any party to any other party as an inducement to secure prescription orders.” Notwithstanding this prohibition, pharmacies introduced various forms of inducement programs.
In response to correspondence and complaints from pharmacies and the public, the Minister of Health directed the Pharmaceutical Services Division to take action to ensure pharmacies abide by the terms set out in the Pharmacy Participation Agreement.
Under the terms of the Agreement, effective July 4, 2011, loyalty programs will be restricted to the portion of the prescription cost that is borne by the patient.
The Province’s interest is in the inequity that government funded benefits are being provided to patients and not being made available to other taxpayers, and more specifically the perception that this is occurring (i.e., government paying for a large proportion of a patient’s drug costs and the patient accumulating loyalty points as a result and receiving a free gift).
Facebook Group - We are all British Columbians - if the BC Government cannot help us let us help each other - please join to share your story http://www.facebook.com/groups/224146337610345?ap=1
The folks at Occupy Vancouver are working together creating a fair system of sharing the wealth. Please join us at The Vancouver Art Gallery.
11. Support Nationalisation of the energy sector within the UK
Scottish Power has revealed that it intends to implement a 19% increase in the price of gas and a 10% rise in the price of electricity, this is on the back of an increases in November 2010.
These increases are likely to be mirrored by the other big 6 energy suppliers in the UK. The most disturbing factor about these rises is that it comes on the back of record profits post by the likes of British gas who raked in £742million in 2010 which translates to a whopping 24 per cent rise helped by a price hike of 7% at the start of the coldest winter for decades, to make matters worse this rise occurred just weeks after a half yearly report showed that profits had double for like for like sales.
British gas is not the only company within the energy sector announce record profits with Npower also posting a 9% increase in profits after issuing an average 5% rises in both gas and electricity prices with Scottish power posting a massive £1.2 billion.
These prices are way above the rate of inflation and while Scottish power is the only energy supplier to have yet to announce its intention to increase prices which will take effect in august 2011, I think it’s a fair assessment that the others will follow suit as they seem to be one big cartel, while they may not share profits with each other, they do aid each other in the creation of profits by posting price hikes across the board. For example now that Scottish power has announced its intention to increase its price for 2011 it opens the door for further increases in prices albeit at varying levels. The ability to shop around does not guarantee a fair price; it only offers you the ability to choose how far over the odds you are willing to pay.
It is my opinion that the energy sector is in every way as important as the health and defence sectors of this country and without which none of us could survive and neither would we stand by and see them privatised. The Nationalisation of the energy sector would help to safe guard the future of the United Kingdom.
It is not beyond the realms of realism to believe that a nationalised energy sector could work effectively and with the knowledge that any profits posted will be returned back into the system to help improve the standard of living within the UK.
12. A Healthy Dole
The Unemployment Benefits in Australia do not do what they are designed to do. There are many*, many** examples of "Dole Bludgers" exploiting the system to get themselves more money to spend on irresponsible, unhealthy personal ventures.
And then there are the numerous individuals who genuinely need the assistance, but increasing prices of living are starting to make this impossible.
There is also the problem of youth choosing to not get a job simply because the dole is a better option financially.***
The solutions may be one and the same: A healthy dole program. If there was a way for the unemployed to have access to the healthy eating proportions that the government tries to encourage, then we would be less likely to have an unemployed population that is obese and wasteful. It would also serve to deter those who wish to live 'the good life' on the dole, as they will be getting what they are recommended and nothing more.
Of course, the program would also need to account for other costs of living like transport and housing, but with a free public transport (including taxis) account and a direct debit for rent/mortgage to the government, this could combat every problem we have with the current system.
* http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/money/money-matters/dole-bludgers-exploiting-weak-welfare-system-job-agency-campbell-page-says/story-fn300aev-1225896852646
** http://www.7perth.com.au/view/today-tonight-articles/dole-bludgers/
*** http://7pmproject.com.au/dole-wages-apprentice.htm
Vicious Mutilation of Family Cat
Our family pet cat was recently found dead and mutilated with many of his body parts missing.
The post-mortem that followed could not determine a cause of death since vital body and organ identifiers had been removed. However, the examination did prove that the mutilation was deliberate and that further, several parts were removed post mortem.
On notifying the authorities of this atrocity; we have been informed that the police cannot pursue any sort of investigation as a criminal offence has apparently not taken place under the jurisdiction Greater Manchester Police force. The explanation given for the lack of police intervention is that interference with our cat’s body occurred after his death.
The purpose of this petition therefore, is to close the gap in the law that relates to the act of purposeful mutilation and theft of body parts from the carcass of family pets regardless as to the original cause of death.
We understand that in certain areas such an act is found to be criminal and is thus covered by the Criminal Damage Act, 1971. Justification of this stance is given to the fact that; within the law a domestic animal is and should be viewed, as the absolute property of its owner.
Why can there not be a consistent course of action for animal cruelty offences, before and after death, pursued throughout every police force in England?
To be considered further is the proven link between the mutilation of animals by individuals and their tendency to progress onto further, more violent crimes. We believe that there has to be a deterrent within the law against this type of behaviour and to protect our communities.
Clearly, at this time, the law is not in our favour and as such, we would petition for action to be taken to enforce criminal damage suits against proven offenders and that moreover, the police are permitted to investigate such barbarous acts of crime against family pets and indeed all animals with a serious intent to prosecute offenders.
14. Save Derbyshire Unemployed Workers' Centres (DUWCs)
Derbyshire Unemployed Workers' Centres (DUWCs) is an organisation established in the former coalfields area of North and East Derbyshire in the early 1980s as part of a TUC initiative to support people becoming unemployed.
The Centres opened offices throughout North Derbyshire as the excellent reputation of the organisation spread. In the current recessionary times the free, independent welfare rights advice provided is needed as much as ever.
15. Say No To Animals in Pet Shops
Our campaign is to stop the over breeding of thousands of animals by puppy farms and backyard breeders and put them out of business.
We know that there are many wonderful pet shop owners out there that don't sell animals, and others that put animals from rescue centres in their windows to find homes for them.
These are NOT the ones perpetuating the problem. We encourage you to support ONLY these pet shops by buying all your pet accessories from them and telling all your friends and family to do the same.
16. Reform of Animal Welfare Laws for Horses
I am a supporter of the group ‘Let the Horses Voice Be Heard’ who are fed up with watching and hearing daily, the ongoing neglect and abuse of horses in this state and many others. Neglected equines are going un-noticed because there is little protection for this animal within current laws.
There are far too many unwanted horses suffering neglect and abuse as result of little or no regulations for horse owners or breeders and, in many cases, money in the pocket becomes a more important factor than that of the welfare of the equine.
NSW and QLD equine welfare codes have not been updated since 1979 and 2001 respectively. NSW and QLD currently have NO CODE OF PRACTICE for equines, such as the one that they have in Tasmania and Victoria, and I strongly feel that all states to follow suit. From these codes we can adapt a nationwide standard which can then be used to heighten the level of care required for an equine and enforce tougher penalties before they gets to such a hideous neglected state, such as the ones rescue agencies and responsible owners witness daily.
The RSPCA has admitted to many people when reporting neglect, that the laws are lax and that they are limited in their power to act on reports. Often the horse/equine will be skeletal before they step in and by this time the damage is done and more often than not it will be euthanized. There are many, many owners and witnesses out there with stories of neglect and lack of action but through fear of retribution and the feeling of having their hands tied they are not sure where to turn next.
Many responsible horse/equine owners around Australia are desperate to get equine welfare changed across each state and see the implementation of standards enforceable by law.
Horses are suffering in paddocks because inexperienced and un-knowledgeable owners are not required by any kind of law to feed them APPROPRIATELY, water them APPROPRIATEY, trim their feet, do their teeth, worm them etc.
We want horse/equine re-categorized to reflect what they are: recreational animals, used for sport, companion animals used as pets. We want the RSPCA to have the power to make neglected owners responsible for their actions with on the spot fines and the ability to seize animals immediately, in the same way we witness seizure in other countries such as the United States.
We have been advised that approaching our local government could be the first step to getting change however their lack of acknowledgement means we need to reach out to Animal Health Australia to seek their assistance in supporting our cause. We are approaching this group responsible for welfare of livestock in the hope that we can support their aims and see them continue with their plan of action.
I ask you to help us in getting all the states in particular; NSW to review and modify the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 along with the QLD state to review and modify the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 and to bring horse/equine welfare in line nationwide and see the end to horse neglect and abuse as a high priority for all in the industry.
This petition has been founded to create awareness of this issue and to be a place for all the fragmented groups to gather and push for change.
Please help save these animals from lives that are less than kind and also stop the exploding numbers of horses in this sort of care and introduce a standard, plus review the horse/equine under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
WE URGE ALL UK SUPERMARKETS TO INSIST THAT THEIR MEAT PRODUCTION PLANTS (SLAUGHTERHOUSES) INSTALL CCTV, AND TO ASK THAT THEY ONLY BUY MEAT FROM ANIMALS KILLED IN SLAUGHTERHOUSES FITTED WITH CCTV CAMERAS
In January 2009, Animal Aid, a UK charity, started to film secretly inside Britain's slaughterhouses. They gathered footage from seven red meat establishments all of which were randomly selected and found terrible suffering and many breaches of animal welfare laws in six of them. They recorded animals being improperly stunned and going to the knife whilst still conscious.
The film also revealed animals being kicked, slapped, stamped on, and sheep being picked up by their fleeces and ears and thrown roughly around the slaughtering pen.
In April 2010, Animal Aid filmed inside a slaughterhouse in Essex. The film shows scenes of extreme and deliberate suffering. This included the use of electric tongs on pigs’ snouts, tails and in their open mouths.
It's not just ‘mainstream’ slaughterhouses where serious animal welfare failings were found. In October 2009, Animal Aid secretly filmed at an organic Soil Association-approved abattoir that kills pigs and sheep. Conditions there were so bad that the Meat Hygiene Service immediately suspended three workers and began building a case for a prosecution. At this particular slaughterhouse, they filmed pigs being kicked in the face, sheep being picked up and thrown, and the heads of sheep being cut off before the statutory time had elapsed – meaning that in all probability they were still alive.
Animal Aid filmed at another Soil Association-accredited slaughterhouse, In January and February 2010, this time in Dorset. Their footage revealed more abuses and legal breaches. Once again, the MHS was forced to take action.
Chancellor George Osborne has announced plans to scrap child benefit where one parent earns about £44,000 a year. This is due to come into affect in 2013.
Ministers estimate the change will affect about 1.2 million families. These families are not "super-rich" but working hard and getting by.
Mr Osborne confirmed the cut would hit homes with a single or two high earners but families with two parents on incomes up to £44,000 - which might add up together to over £80,000 - would keep the benefit.
This proposal has provoked a huge response from the media, political parties and from "middle Britain".
Please sign this petition and show your support. More information on family finance and saving money can be found at www.babytod.co.uk
19. Make Child Benefit Cuts Fair
The proposed changes to Child Benefit payments is patently unfair.
Where two parents each earning slightly less than £44,000 - adding up to a combined family income of over £80,000 - will keep the benefit while households where just one parent earns over £44,000 will lose it.
20. Urine Test for Welfare Recipients
History dictates that at many corporate and non-corporate entities require a drug test be administered for new employment and continued employment in many cases. Taxes from said employment supports many local and federal programs including welfare.
Typically many welfare recipients require no drug testing or proof of employment. Those individuals are receiving funds from CT and all US tax payers. A drug test is a fair request of those recipients and of those who fail, they should be denied those benefits.
21. Make it law to report hitting or running over a cat whilst driving
I believe if you hit a cat whilst driving you should at the very least call the police, local council animal control or local vet and stay until they arrive if the cat is injured or even dead.
It would help us pet owners to know for certain what has happened to our beloved pets instead of wondering and worrying for years.
Cats are not feral if they live among a family who love them very much.
Most responsible owners have their cat micro chipped, which allows whoever has been informed about the injured/dead cat to notify the owners, also many cats have collars on with name, phone number or address .
22. Stop welfare fraud in Canada
They have recently cut the E.I. rates 5 weeks, these are people who have worked in some of the most menial jobs in Canada.
People on welfare never have to report anything such as change etc. children shipped off to their grandmother yet they get welfare and free education forever from the government, we pay their tuition fees, they don't even pass their courses or they drop them or don't show up.
Cut off the welfare fraud cases and give it to EI.
23. Immediate revote of H.R. 4213 to extend unemployment benefits
By the end of 2009, the jobless rate stood at 10.0 percent and the number of unemployed persons at 15.3 million. Among the unemployed, 4 in 10 (6.1 million) had been jobless for 27 weeks or more, by far the highest proportion of long-term unemployment on record, with data back to 1948.
Thus, as the recession lengthened and unemployment rose, the share of jobless workers ages 25 to 54 and those 55 years and over that remained unemployed from month to month increased, while the share that left the labor force or became employed declined.
These changes all contributed to the overall rise in long-term unemployment among those age groups. The share of jobless younger workers that remained unemployed also increased, but they were still as likely to drop out of the labor force as they were before the onset of the recession. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. America is at a crisis. Taxpayers were forced to bail out Wall Street and big businesses, now in their time of need Republicans voted against bailing out America's unemployed voting down H.R. 4213 stimulus package in another senseless filibuster and let's not forget it was their guy President Bush that put us in this situation even if they don't want to. Did they care about the deficit then?
We continue to fund wars that will never have a outcome, invite leaders from other countries that hate us, give the rich a lower tax break than ordinary citizens but now cannot help Americans who are losing their homes and livelihood? The same Americans who put the President and these Senators in office? With the elections coming up, we advised you look real closely at the people we put in office and demand President Obama and the Senate take action immediately.
24. Say "NO" to random drug testing of our poor
Michigan’s drug testing program was struck down in 2003 as an unconstitutional violation of the Fourth Amendment’s protection against searches without reasonable cause. Moreover, random drug testing is a costly, flawed and inefficient way of identifying recipients in need of treatment.
Because sanctions for non-compliance put vulnerable children at risk, state and federal policy-makers should not enact more barriers to a safety net program that protects low-income children and families, especially during an historic economic downturn and decline in the labor market.
The impact on children may be even greater now, with few job openings and family budgets already stretched because of the recession.
Feathers that you use in your pillows, blankets and clothing come from somewhere. Most notably, from animals. This is deemed acceptable as it is cheap and 'humane' as there feathers are used after slaughter.
A new, horrifying treatment is plucking the feathers from live geese.
Instead of just plucking the bird once after slaughter you can pluck the bird several times while it is still alive. This equates to more money.
26. Tighter Regulation on Dog Trainers
In the UK, anybody can set themselves up as a 'professional' dog trainer.
Many people are unaware of the fact that it is possible to have never owned, trained or even seen a dog for a person to set themselves up and call themselves a dog trainer, let alone have any professional credentials or business competency.
Given the elevated position of trust that dog trainers are in, it is absolutely wrong that the public is offered no protection from the con-artists and downright incompetent trainers, many of whom have only ever read the odd book or watched TV dog trainers before embarking on their careers.
As competition amongst more and more 'dodgy dog trainers' heats up, there is an increasing and worrying trend for certain individuals to rely on gimmicks and downright lies in order to win business from unsuspecting members of the public. Unscrupulous marketing methods and downright lies are often used by these dogdy trainers in order to con members of the public in to using their services.
For instance, some trainers have been publicly exposed as blatantly misrepresenting their professional credentials and lying about their associations in order to trick trusting dog owners in to believing they are more competent than they are. This has to stop.
This petition is to call for tighter regulation and insistence on a set professional code of conduct as well as competency testing for anyone who sets themselves up as a professional dog trainer.
This will help to prevent the public being duped by so-called professional dog trainers who, in any other profession, would simply be referred to as con-artists.
Α football fan sprayed a rabbit with orange paint in an attempt to taunt the other team’s supporters whose color is orange. The rabbit’s legs were broken probably so he can't move or run away from the field. The rabbit died while dozens of people girls and boys were laughing and applause the hero...
This petition has nothing to do with football, we don't support any team, all we ask for is for the people who tortured and killed the animal to be prosecuted for what they have done. We want Cyprus to respect that EU has laws for the animals also. As European citizens we demand Cypriot authorities to respect and follow the EU laws for animal abuse and protection.
28. Free Tilikum, and Other Captive Marine Mammals
This petition has been created to show SeaWorld how many people are for the release of their captive marine mammals. Statistics have shown that captive orcas only live around 20 years on average; a far cry from the 60 years of wild orcas.
These intelligent, powerful animals are reduced to sideshow attractions; no better than the dancing bear attractions, that are now banned.
Together we can provide a voice for these animals, and help them be rehabilitated and moved to sea pens where they can live out the rest of their lives without the stresses of performing.
29. Residences Support Team (Wardenal) Petition
Last year the Residences Support (Wardenal) system came under the auspice of Student Services and this year the system has been reviewed. The preferred option of the review is to replace the current resident Support staff with a full-time system which could see external people coming to work in the halls. This system will effectively have non-resident night porters awake and on duty who will provide no pastoral support. It will also result in the loss of a great amount of valuable experience. It is felt that this change will result in a massive deterioration in the quality of service to the students as residents and consequently the University as a whole. The effects foreseen occurring as a result of this proposed change to a full-time system include:
• Potential loss of empathy / understanding
Traditionally the Residences Support team (Wardens) has been comprised of individuals with strong connections to the University, as either students or University staff. The team has lived in the halls of residence and formed part of the residential halls community and its daily life. They have been responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of the students and have striven to maintain a good working and living environment for the residents.
Being fellow students (or staff) and living on site, the Residences Support service has always been very visible and approachable, and has been ideally placed to offer empathetic support and to direct the students to the appropriate University services. The proposed full-time system would most likely place external people to work in the halls of residence and does not require applicants to have any connection with the University, meaning that the current empathy and understanding available would diminish drastically.
• Drastically reduced pastoral support from the proposed system
A key role of the current system is to provide pastoral support to students facing any of a vast number of different issues, including home sickness, stress due to academic or financial concerns, conflicts within flats and mental health issues (such as suicidal behaviour), among many others. The proposed system will not provide this level of pastoral support in halls of residence. Instead this role will be transferred to other daytime University support services and could result in a time delay for accessing pastoral support, which could have serious consequences for the wellbeing and quality of life of students. Any problems students have are more easily dealt with through an on-site pastoral system. Currently these issues are often raised by informal conversations with Residences Support staff. The full-time system will not address problems which students may find distressing but for which they may not be prepared to use an offsite system.
• Loss of experience
The nature of the new system would require individuals to stay awake throughout the night. This means that neither full-time students nor current staff could do the job. It would lead to most, if not all, of the current wardens quitting or being made redundant. The system would lose the experience gathered throughout the years by the current wardens, who possess knowledge and experience of the inner-workings of the University and its support services, which are key to ensuring a healthy University / residential environment conducive to both work and leisure).
The new system would see an inexperienced team, who are unlikely to have any connection with the University whatsoever, being introduced at a time of peak demand.
More information about the review can be found in the accommodation website: http://www.soton.ac.uk/accommodation/community/index.html
30. Τέρμα στις φυλακές ζώων, εδώ και παντού.
Όχι ζώα στα κλουβιά...
Η διατήρηση των ζώων σε συνθήκες αιχμαλωσίας, παρόλο που τους παρέχεται τροφή, νερό, και στοιχειώδης ιατρική περίθαλψη, δεν παύει να είναι μια φυλακή που εξασφαλίζει ως ένα βαθμό την επιβίωσή τους, απαγορεύει όμως την ευζωία τους. O αφύσικος τρόπος ζωής που προκύπτει από την έλλειψη ερεθισμάτων, τον περιορισμένο ζωτικό χώρο, την αδυναμία εκδήλωσης φυσιολογικών συμπεριφορών, και την διαρκή έκθεση στον ανθρώπινο παρατηρητή, δεν μας διδάσκει τίποτα για τα ίδια τα ζώα. Στην πραγματικότητα μας μεταφέρει μια αλλοιωμένη μόνο εικόνα των άγριων συγγενών τους ενώ πλέον το διαδίκτυο, τα ντοκιμαντέρ, αλλά και η δική μας διακριτική και υπομονετική παρουσία στην φύση μπορούν να μας μάθουν πολύ περισσότερα για τις πραγματικές τους συνήθειές, τις ανάγκες τους και τις θαυμαστές τους ικανότητες.
Αντίθετα στις αρχές της οικολογίας που αντιμετωπίζει κάθε ζωντανό οργανισμό ως μέρος ενός πολύπλοκου συνόλου με το δικό του μοναδικό ρόλο στην διατήρηση της ισορροπίας των οικοσυστημάτων, τα ζώα που βρίσκονται στον δημοτικό κήπο και σε κάθε κήπο, αναγκάζονται να ζουν απομονωμένα σε ένα στείρο, ξένο για αυτά περιβάλλον. Η έκθεση ζώων και τα θεάματα που τα χρησιμοποιούν, σύμφωνα με την Διακήρυξη των Δικαιωμάτων των Ζώων, αποτελούν καταστρατήγηση της αξιοπρέπειας και του σεβασμού προς τη ζωή τους.
Αν μας διδάσκει κάτι η έκθεση των ζώων σε κήπους αυτό είναι η βίαιη φύση του ανθρώπου. Του ανθρώπου που θέλει να κυριαρχεί στη φύση και χρησιμοποιεί τα ζώα ως σημάδια της δύναμης του, όπως τα χρησιμοποιούσε άλλοτε για να δείξει το μεγαλείο των αυτοκρατοριών του. Του ανθρώπου που γυρνώντας επιλεκτικά και επιδεικτικά την πλάτη στην επιστήμη, αρνείται την εξελικτική συνέχεια των ζωντανών οργανισμών και χρησιμοποιεί τα κάγκελα για να διαχωρίσει στη συνείδησή του τη θέση του από τα μη ανθρώπινα ζώα.
Για τους παραπάνω λόγους απαιτούμε τα ζώα που βρίσκονται σήμερα έγκλειστα στον Δημοτικό Κήπο της πόλης μας να είναι και τα τελευταία. Οι αρμόδιοι φορείς, σε συνεργασία με ειδικούς επιστήμονες θα πρέπει με γνώμονα το συμφέρον των ζώων, να επεξεργαστούν τις δυνατότητες απελευθέρωσης τους ή αν αυτή είναι αδύνατη επειδή έχουν γεννηθεί και μεγαλώσει σε αιχμαλωσία, της μεταφοράς τους σε χώρους με καλύτερες συνθήκες διαβίωσης. Ο Δημοτικός Κήπος πρέπει να είναι ένας χώρος πρασίνου που με την οικολογική και κοινωνική του αξία, να ομορφαίνει την καθημερινότητά μας, και όχι μια φυλακή ζώων με κλουβιά, κάγκελα και συρματοπλέγματα.
