Dear friends,

After decades of brutal dictatorship, the people of Burma are rising--and they need our help.

Clicking below will add your name to this petition to Chinese Premier Hu Jintao and the UN Security Council:"We stand alongside the citizens of Burma in their peaceful protests. We urge you to oppose a violent crackdown on the demonstrators, and to support genuine reconciliation and democracy in Burma. We pledge to hold you accountable for any further bloodshed." Click Here to Sign Now

Today over 100,000 people are on the streets of Rangoon, more around the country. When protesters last marched in 1988, the military massacred thousands.

But this time it can be different--if only the world stands with the marchers. The United Nations summit starts today in New York. Let's raise an emergency global campaign, demanding they press the Burmese generals to negotiate rather than crush the demonstrators. We'll deliver it to Security Council members--particularly China's Hu Jintao, until now the military junta's protector--and to media at the UN this week. Sign our emergency petition supporting the peaceful protests in Burma--click here, then spread the word:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/f.php?cl=20169304&signup=1

For decades the Burmese dictatorship fought off pressure--imprisoning elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and democracy activists, wiping out thousands of villages in the provinces, bringing miseries from forced labour to refugee camps. One-third of children under 5 now suffer malnutrition; millions are down to one meal a day.

But last Tuesday Buddhist monks and nuns, overwhelmingly respected in Burma, began marching and chanting prayers. The protests spread--now they're growing by tens of thousands every day, as ordinary people, even celebrities and comedians join in. They've broken the chains of fear and given hope to 52 million Burmese.

However, this hope is hanging by a thread. While hesitating to attack the respected monks, the regime is reported to be organising violence. Demonstrators have already been beaten, shots have been fired.

This is one of those moments where the world can make the difference: standing shoulder to shoulder with the Burmese people, helping to shine a dissolving light on tyranny. Let's call on powers at the UN--in particular, China (next year's Olympics host)--to warn the generals that violence will have the gravest consequences, and the time has come for change.

People power is rising through the streets of Burma today. Let the demonstrators know the world is with them. Click here to sign the petition, then tell everyone you know:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/f.php?cl=20169304&signup=1

In hope,

Paul, Pascal, Graziela, Ricken and the whole Avaaz team

PS: The government has just threatened the monks--here's an Associated Press article: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iy-MfhLN9Q7MwtQ1VlrvexLjr2dA

And we've just heard this from the international Burma Campaign: the military has reportedly ordered a battalion of soldiers to shave their heads, pose as monks and operate as agents provocateurs. This might be the first first step towards a bloody crackdown. See http://www.uscampaignforburma.org/ for more background.

 

"True" Friendship

None of that Sissy Crap

Are you tired of those sissy "friendship" poems that always sound good, But never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.

You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card-

Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

1. When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against

the fu*king bastard who made you sad.

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you got laid.

4. When you are scared -- I will take the piss out of you about it, every chance I get.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whinging.

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick -- Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.

9. This is my oath.... I pledge it to the end. "Why?" you may ask;

"because you are my friend".

Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

 

So I've jsut been doing some research about Singapore.

They speak Singlish. 

Does anyone know anything about this - what it souhnds like?

Is it likely an English person will understand and communicate quite easily or do I need to study Singlish a bit first???

Heeeelp!

Oh best quote of yesterday...

"On which website should I google it?"

Doh!

Anon 
(to save the persons embarrasment they wish to remain nameless, though I can disclose this is a friend of mine!)

As you might know, my parents run a folk club (www.daisyrootsfolkclub.com) 

On 23rd May they are running a charity night, where all proceeds (instead of being fed back into the club) will go to charity. Their chosen charity is Compton Hospice (http://www.compton-hospice.org.uk/) which is where my Grandad went for the last few weeks before he died of cancer. They look after people with cancer in their last few weeks / months when families can't cope anymore. They are amazing!

Besides a donation tub going round, there will be a raffle and auction to raise money.

So far there are bottles of wine, beer, books,  cd's, a CD player, even a hade made chair etc for the raffle

We have an accordian, football top signed by Michael Owen!! for the auction.

So I'm asking do you have ANYTHING big or small that you would like to part with for charity?

I can either collect or pay for postage if you're a bit further away!

Thank You in advance!!!

(also posted to Birmingham freecycle)

Poll #977559 veggie boxes
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 23

Have you ever ordered a veggie box?

did it meet your expectations?

would you recomend the veggie box sceme?

could you recomend a verggie box sceme to me? (if they delivery in the midlands it would be even more wonderful!)

Dogs and Cats Diarys

Excerpts from a Dog's Daily Diary

8:00am Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30am A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40am Walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30am Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00pm Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00pm Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00pm Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00pm Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00pm Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00pm Wow! Watched TV with my master! My favorite thing!
11:00pm Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary

Day 683 of my captivity : My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre
dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates
and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt
for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order
to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of
escape... In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the floor.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I
had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly
demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending
comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.

The audacity! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.
I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However,
I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement
was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how
to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my
tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this
again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The
dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released --and seems to be
more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded! The bird has got to
be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am
certain that he reports my every move. The captors have arranged protective
custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.......for now.