Petition Tag - support

THE JONAS BROTHERS ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE VERY TOP

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J & K Governor Gen, Sinha surveyed condition of pilgrims of Amarnath yatra & found that people have to relax in open tents and therefore he signed a project for constucting permanent shelters for pilgrims and alotted 100 acres (800 cannals) of land to shrine board after passing it in J & K assembly.

The Forest Minister in the Cabinet was from the PDP, a coalition partner in the government. Yet they (the PDP) refused to accept responsibility for the joint decision (of allocating forest land to set up temporary structures for facilities for Hindu pilgrims during the Amarnath Yatra) Then PDP and some Pro-pakistan parties started agitating against decision with anti nationalist slogans and ransacking public property.

The Congress sans PDP minority Govt took decision back and surrendered in front of these anti nationalist and fundamentalist forces. People of Jammu started agitating against this anti national, anti harmony decision with all groups together. Later jammu muslim comunity supported agitation through a press conference. When Omar Abdullah gave statement in parliament that his people will not give an inch of land to pilgrims or shrine board ; emotions n sentiments of jammu people ran high and one of the protesters KULDIP DOGRA commited sucide in front of 500 people.

At 3:00 am next day police took his body after beating his family, AND STARTED cremating HIS BODY BEFORE SUNRISE AT 4:00 AM WHICH IS AGAINST HINDUISUM. one of the family member used local temple loudspeaker and informed people, Anger rose high and people started beating police .Police hit back and violent agitation turned into massive rallies with more than 40,000 people. Police killed 2 protesters days after. Latest opression is that Local Cable TV as well as SMSes have been banned in Jammu.

Most sadly these people are not getting required support from national media against such dictatorship and their lonely battle is still ON.

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Kamal Begi, a Brampton Manor student, and his uncle have lost all their appeals and are under a threat of deportation despite having lived in the UK for over 6 years. They were initially granted a leave to remain for one year and then refused indefinite leave to remain.

We were shocked that a boy who has suffered so much trauma in Afghanistan, where his father was murdered and members of his family tortured, where he himself was held at a gun point as a child, a boy whose life would be in danger if he returned, is not being allowed to set up a new home here and is left worried for his well-being and future, pending the decision of the Home Office.

Kamal Begi and his uncle arrived in the UK and claimed asylum in January 2002. He joined Brampton Manor School in East Ham, London in September 2003 and has quickly become a valuable member of our school community. He is now leaving Year 11 having taken his GCSEs and is expected to achieve on or often above target in all his subjects. He is very ambitious and clear on what he wants to achieve in life. He has now been accepted to New Vic College where he plans to take his ‘A’ levels before going to University to study Business. Kamal has become a strong member of our school community and has settled in very well.

We have so far collected over a thousand signatures on paper in school that were handed over to Lyn Brown MP on 24th June 2008 in the House of Commons. We need more people to show their support for Kamal.

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“Support Our Port” is committed to a multi-use Oshawa harbour for recreation and industry – bringing the greatest benefits to the city, and the people of Oshawa.

This would include the construction of an ethanol facility in the port of Oshawa to create jobs, support the local economy, and support farmers and the environment.

Producing ethanol in the Oshawa port would use local corn. It would be a source of greener, more environmentally-friendly energy and would inject millions of dollars into the city’s economy through new taxes.

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Early improvements to the Silverlink road junction are essential to the region's economy and motorists, North Tyneside's Elected Mayor, John Harrison has warned today as he launched a petition to demand a rethink on funding.

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To: Portland Public School Board Members and Portland Public Schools Superintendent

The Oregon Library Association (OLA), the Portland Area Information Literacy Group (P.A.I.L.), and the undersigned Oregon librarians and library media specialists want to express support for libraries, teacher-librarians and library media specialists in all of Portland Public School libraries. The OLA is a statewide association of over 1,000 members composed of academic, public, and special librarians from across Oregon. P.A.I.L. is a group of Portland area librarians from public, school, college and university libraries in the Portland area. We advocate for Information Literacy for all of our library users and students.

P.A.I.L. has met over the last three years and found from the very first conversation that we had a common concern: “Students seeking a post-secondary education lacked the requisite knowledge to do high quality research using the multitude of resources available in today’s modern library.” From our discussions we discovered that support for professional teacher-librarians and library media specialist (LMS) in Portland Public Schools had been waning over the years. It was a stunning epiphany for all, especially the college librarians.

We write to you in support of staffing your school libraries with professional librarians and support staff, providing equal and equitable access to both a qualified librarian and a professionally developed library collection. The role of administering a library program and library media center also involves someone who is an expert in curriculum and provides high quality resources teachers and students need. Research has consistently shown that school librarians and strong libraries correlate strongly with student success and retention. They also prepare students to succeed in post-secondary schooling and to become critical thinkers and well-informed citizens.

We understand that you recently created a new position in the district, one that can help to renew the role of librarians and school libraries across your district, and we applaud your acknowledgement to address this need. We wish to encourage your continuous efforts to bring Portland Public School libraries into the 21st century, and to become the leader for school libraries in Oregon.

Robert Schroeder
Coordinator of the Portland Area Information Literacy Group
Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian, Portland State University

Sarah Beasley
Oregon Library Association. President
Associate Professor, Education and Social Science Librarian, Portland State University

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I first started to write my YA (young adult) novel JUNE on June 7th, 2006. From that day on, I realized my true calling in life. I feel that I am destined to become a novelist and will do WHATEVER it takes to achieve this goal.

The next summer, when I had finished writing, I began sending out letters to literary agencies and publishing houses. After two years of receiving rejection letters, I have decided to take a new approach in accomplishing my dream.

It all started one day (that's how everything starts, huh?) when I was watching the Oprah Winfrey Show. I decided to check out her site out of mild curiosty. Little did I know, I was to be on that site every day from then on.

It began with a single letter. Then another. Then another. Then.... NINE THOUSAND. (yes, I actually sent 9,000!) It's now May 24th, 2008 and I have sent approximately 9,709 letters asking Oprah to help me publish my novel, JUNE.

Don't get me wrong, I know Oprah isn't a publishing house- but surely she has the connections to publish this!!!! I'll never stop sending these letters- I'm so determined to make this happen. I'll never take my eyes off this goal.

Feel free to also send letters to Oprah asking her to publish Maggie Mahar's novel, JUNE. Or, just sign this petition. Any help is greatly appreciated!

---- ----- -----

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Issues of fairness with respect to this business & the city need to be reviewed.

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I recently had the experience with rescued baby chicks who would have been destined to the slaughter house in months. The drugs had already gotten to them, and in a month 3 of the 8 we recieved have died. Two of broken necks, on had a boken leg and healed but disappeared. I have reason srongly to believe that my aunt, who hates animal rights, killed them purposely. Their necks had been fine until one weekend. She held them in extreme heat in the house and outside she left them in extreme cold, blamed me for their deaths as well.
Here are links to the stories:
1.)
~*~If You Care About Chickens- The Story of Symphony~*~

2.)
~*~DEEP REGRET~*~

3.)
~*~ANOTHER Regret~*~

4.)
~*~BABY CHICKEN NEWS!~*~

5.)
~*~Once More, A REGRET~*~

I have been through an emotional roller coaster loving these little ones and it goes to show the hardships chicken factory farms cause. It has ade me sick to the point I will not eat.

If you show support for these babies and other chickens on factory farms please show sympathy. I will edit soon and post pictures.

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For 86 years, the city of New Port Richey on the Gulf Coast of Florida has exploited American Indian culture and spirituality to sell an 11-day food fest and carnival called the Chasco Fiesta.

They put on a pageant in which children dressed as Florida Indians made stabbing motions into the chests of children dressed as Spaniards, showed Indians practicing human sacrifice, and showed a Spanish priest teaching Indians how to plant corn, squash and other crops, while the priest calls the Indians savages, pagans and heathens. The happy ending of this pageant? The Indians spared two white children making them their King and Queen, then convert to Christianity.

And why are there no Florida Indians today? The Chasco Fiesta brochure says when their benevolent white rulers died, the Indians reverted to human sacrifice, so God killed them all: men, women and children--with hurricanes, not Spanish genocide and disease. The pageant ended only when local citizens took the mayor and the president of the local Chamber of Commerce to court. Also ended were these activities in the Children's Indian Village: "Pin the Tail on the Drunken Indian," and "Find the Buried Treasure in the Miniature Indian Burial Mounds in the Big Sandbox."

What remains is the Krewe of Chasco, more than 300 white local civic and business leaders who dress up in authentic, sacred Indian regalia purchased at great cost, so they can appear in nine regional parades as a living advertisement to the Chasco Fiesta in late March. They are the only krewe in Florida that dresses like an ethnic minority that is not made up of a majority from that group--in fact, they pay a Seminole $5000 to stand on their float--the going price for betraying your heritage here.

Peter Matthiessen, author of several books on American Indians, calls the Krewe of Chasco one of the greatest insults to American Indians in the U.S. today. When the Florida American Indian Movement (AIM) and local citizens protested the float, the Krewe president told a Chamber of Commerce luncheon, "I want you all to buy guns and kill AIM--I'll bury them for free." He owns a funeral home.

On their website now closed to outsiders, one of their photos showed a drunken blonde woman wearing a sacred Plains Indian headdress with the caption, "Even Squaws can be Braves in the Krewe of Chasco"--apparently unaware that the word "squaw" is as insulting as the n-word to African Americans. On their float to "honor" Florida Indians as their non-profit charter says, they have a big brown fort representing the power of the military in destroying American Indians, a canoe and a drum from the Northeast, totem poles from the Northwest--and one paid Florida Indian.

Each year, the city of New Port Richey and the Pasco County Commission uses taxpayer money to rent the float for this private club--$21,000. Letters, lawsuits, protests, arrests and local petitions signed by more than 100 city residents have not been successful. Anyone who cares about American Indians who is considering a visit to this area should reconsider, and let the local governments know why. To freeze American Indians as they were a century ago, and to act as though they do not exist in modern-day American society is shameful.

No American would consider dressing up like blacks, or Roman Catholics, or Jews if they do not belong to that group--why then dress up like American Indians?

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This petition will be used to lobby the Federal Government and the Federal Attorney General to pressure them to address and resolve the urgent issues affecting adoptive families in Australia. We are seeking your support.

In November 2005 a lengthy & detailed report was presented by Bronwyn Bishop. It received bipartisan approval & inroads were made by the former government. Since the Rudd govt came to power everything is at a standstill while tensions, costs & abandonments increase. Peoples lives are being turned upside down for no logical reason.

It is a complex situation with a clear path to resolution paved, but now stalled. The petition below captures the main elements.

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As part of the development of Redcar Town JFC, new facilities are being build at the Trunk Rd playing fields. This development includes fencing off the allotted are of the palying fields. However, there is a campaign to stop the fence being erected a the Trunk Road.

The club has contacted Neil Russell, a Redcar Council official, who has confirmed that this is true. Neil is slightly concerned as he has only received negative letters /emails from local residents regarding the erection of the fence.

To counter act this we need to send emails / Letters of support for the fencing, obviously letters from local residents surrounding the Trunk road would be ideal, however support from anyone who will use the site would help support the erection of the fence.

The obvious benefits of the Fence are -

Promotes safety for children;

Stops irresponsible dog owners letting dogs foul in areas children will play;

Stop unsupervised dogs from harassing players and destroying equipment;

Stops youths on motor bikes riding across pitches when children are playing.

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The Head of Design at Glasgow School of Art, has recommended that no new undergraduates will be accepted for both the full and part-time Ceramic degree courses, which will therefore result in the end of undergraduate ceramic education in Scotland.

This decision, taken in haste without any staff or student consultation will have major implications for Scottish design, culture and tourism.

As ceramic students of GSA, we feel passionately that there is a promising future for ceramics in Scotland and are disappointed that GSA lacks the vision and courage to support a profitable and innovative element of the design school.

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oth should stay on tuesday night there is no reason for it to move pluse HOUSE is being moved to monday so if anything oth will do better if it stays on tuesday

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GRS Web Support getting you down?

Ad Design causing you pain?

Since it was introduced in the latter half of 2007, the "Incomplete Setting Charge" has raised just under £39K - Money that could be fed back into Ad Design/GRS Web Support etc!

£39K could buy two new members of staff to help us SELL!

Also, this £39K does NOT sit on our targets but rather helps to pay off losses incurred by The G.

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In 2004, Tony Blair, the then Labour Party leader and British Prime Minister, promised the country a referendum on the EU Constitution.

He did this because the EU Constitution altered Britain’s relationship with the European Union and handed over a massive amount of power to Brussels. In 2005, the Labour Party fought and won a General Election with the referendum pledge contained in their manifesto.

Also in 2005, the EU Constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters, ensuring the proposed constitution was scrapped.

Now, in place of the failed EU Constitution, EU leaders, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, have signed a Reform Treaty, which is almost identical to the EU Constitution. It also involves a huge amount of powers being transferred to Brussels. However, the Labour Party has gone back on its referendum pledge of 2005 and is refusing to give the people a vote.

We, the UK Independence Party South Sefton Branch, believe that this is a disgrace and a betrayal of the British people. Therefore we are calling on Bootle’s Labour MP to follow the lead of his Labour colleagues on Merseyside, Frank Field MP and Bob Wareing MP, and support a referendum.

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These animals are being brutally and unnecessarily slaughtered and who are we to say to they have less of a right to exist than we do.

The more I see us acting and playing God on this Planet, the more I accept the fact that the world doesn't need us at all.

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Illinois has stood as a beacon for fair and equal treatment under the law for every citizen since its inception.

I believe all Illinois couples and families deserve basic civil equality, regardless of sexual orientation.

As such, I support passage of the Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act (HB 1826) and urge the Illinois legislature to vote for its enactment into law.

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SAVE BATH’S GREEN CORRIDOR!

The Proposal:

£54 million of government money may be awarded to the City of Bath for a new transport plan. B&N.E.S intend to invest a massive chunk of this public money on a 'Bus Rapid Transit System' (BRT), which will run from an extended Newbridge Park and Ride before adjoining onto a former railway line (a mile long stretch of green land), between Brassmill Lane and Windsor Bridge Rd.

This is part of a wider proposal to join Newbridge Park & Ride in the west of Bath, to a Park and Ride at Bathampton Meadows in the east, via the city centre.

The council estimates that the new route will benefit customers by saving them an average of two minutes on a trip from Newbridge to the City Centre, in a diesel, bendy bus.

The segregated route will bypass the Upper and Lower Bristol Road in the west, both of which are both relatively un-congested. The buses will then travel on existing roads in the city centre and the east, where congestion is a real problem.

Why Oppose The BRT Route?

Unproven benefits and uncertain outcomes:

The claim that the BRT will reduce congestion is very debatable. It is basically a decentralised car park scheme which will encourage people to drive rather than use public transport. Car users will be attracted to the P&R which is in a residential area on the outskirts of Bath. The scheme will displace some city centre traffic, but not enough to make a real long term difference.

The BRT will add to congestion on Park and Ride access routes and at congestion "hotspots", such as Windsor Bridge road and London Road.

Through traffic and “school run” traffic will not be reduced by the BRT


Unrealistic costs and high financial risk:

Costs will definitely rise far above the over optimistic estimates put forward.

Complicated road junctions, bridges, re-engineering of major sewers and contested compulsory purchase orders all add up to serious risk which has not been properly assessed. Major works, new to the plan, have not been accounted for within the budget.

Council tax will be raised and residents of Bath will end up footing the bill when the costs exceed the agreed national funding.


Inadequate consideration of negative impacts:

The scheme will have significant negative impacts which have not been properly considered.

An established green lane, habitat to diverse wildlife and mature trees will be destroyed. Hundreds of households will suffer air, noise and light pollution, vibration and loss of privacy. Businesses will be demolished and forced out and private gardens will be taken by force. Local people will lose a significant green space, currently used by many for recreation. The new road will form a hard physical barrier between communities and will be a magnet for anti social behavior at night. Large, diesel bendy buses will affect the character of narrow city centre streets and harm trade.

A 21st century vision should aim for zero on street emissions and put people first.
The people of Bath are being let down by the council’s lack of vision.

Join us in a peaceful protest, as we deliver our petition to the council at The Guildhall, Bath, 6.30, 20th November.

Please choose to save the green corridor and support local people by signing our petition!

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Dainty Consolidated Entertainment has announced Behind Crimson Eyes as the Australian Support for Iron Maiden for Sydney and Brisbane. This band is not a metal band and DO NOT deserve the opportunity to be supporting a band that is obviously not one of their influences.

Sabretung are a burgeoning thrash metal band from Newcastle NSW and are long time Iron Maiden fans and DO deserve this opportunity to open for one of their heroes.

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Update Jan 29, 2008

WE HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE - THE SHOP IS STAYING OPEN

Just to let you all know that we have had a meeting this morning with the Managing Director of Wesley Owen and they have reversed their decision -we are staying open!

This is subject to Mullers (the landlord) agreeing to a rolling lease, but they are confident that this will be acceptable.

The decision to keep us open is as a direct result of the passion of the staff and the Christians of Weston Super Mare who have either signed the on line petition or written with their concerns - so thank you all so much for your support.

IT IS NOW EITHER USE IT OR LOSE IT

They will be reviewing the situation annually so please continue to support us so that we might retain this vital outlet.

With many thanks to you all

Norma

---------------------------------------------

It has been proposed that the only Christian bookshop in Weston Super Mare, be closed permanently sometime in March 2008. It is at present in a three week consultation period, which is to allow for any ideas or opinions to be submitted, which may reverse this decision.

There has been a Christian bookshop in the town, for at least the last 50 years, and despite the growing trend in internet buying, we feel that there is still a need for this outlet.

Weston Super Mare is a growing town with a growing Christian community. It is also a town with many older residents, who would not be able to travel to Bristol to purchase Christian books and music. Many of these same residents do not have access to the internet, or indeed have the knowledge to do so.

The Christian bookshop is more than a shop, it is a place of safety, where many come to find a listening ear or to share an experience.

For almost every other book topic or music there are numerous outlets in the town. Not so for Christian books and music. In this day and age of ever decreasing values, surely this is a sad reflection of our times. This is heightened by the fact that a nearby outlet specialising in witchcraft, is thriving.

We in this country have the luxury of worshipping freely, whilst others in foreign lands are daily tortured and executed for there faith. Would we as Christians, not then be negligent if we did not fight to retain this invaluable Christian resource?

It is for these reasons that we invite you to sign this petition.

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I am Journalist working for different Newspaper, local as well as national dailies and I usually highlighted the human rights issues through these medium, so we are thinking to provide helping hand and moral support to the issues which you are going to take on different level and forum and also we will support your cause in this regard, whatever issues you will take you will find our support in every time in every where and we also this petition very strongly at any level.

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A group of participants form countries in the Asia Pacific in the Diplomacy Training Program recently conducted by the UNSW of Sydney, Aust agreed a human rights forum for NGOs in the Asia Pacific be established with support from States such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea.

This forum would enable NGOs to discuss human issues prior to States and other formal bodies meeting int he region to do the same.

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On November 28, 2007 Mr. Leo Glavine (Nova Scotia Liberal Education Critic) introduced a amendment to the education act to incorporate the provision for tuition support until the public system can provide a equal level of support.

It also calls upon the government to lift the arbitrary time limit of three years so that the children who need it can continue to attend a specially designated private school until such time at they are ready to go back to public school.

This is a very important piece of legislation for children with learning disabilities in Nova Scotia. We are asking everyone to support this Bill by signing this petition and adding their comments.

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The use of UNBC parking passes is prohibited and results in ticketing at the new
UNBC Northern Sports Center. The NSC is paid for by school tuition, as is a school
facility that is available to UNBC students, so why is parking to be used under a
different program. Parking passes available at the university cost students in
excess of $200.00 a year, and now it is told that people have to pay to go to our
own school's gym. Also with sporting events and intramurals, they expect
students to come and support our sports programs, when our sports center won't
support us.

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Nepal: you may all know that this beautiful country still lives as third world country. The researches shows that more than 40 percent of people still live below the poverty line.

Regarding literacy about 50 percent of people are uneducated in the country.
Only 8 percent or people have access to communication (internet, email).

So with these things in mind I with my friends are planning to establish a community library and ICT centers for the marginalized people and communities in rural areas of Nepal.

Your simple support would be great.

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People are encouraged to read through and sign as this is NOT a petition in favor of outright military rule, but one that supports the measures taken by Musharraf to eradicate corruption and place Pakistan on the right path to democracy. As Pakistanis, we must appreciate a man who has confronted corruption and created a system under which the voice of the people can be heard.

Pervez Musharraf has been the centre of a lot of criticism lately, and this petition is an attempt to show support for his vision and rule in Pakistan. We understand some actions by the current government in Pakistan are drastic and some may argue against them, but it is up to us to realize the ground realities and act responsibly in deciding who to support. Opposition parties are exploiting the mass public by using democracy as an excuse to regain power and destabilize a government that has achieved a lot in the last eight years. Religion is also being used by some in the media to incite the public, which has gone about its daily routine with no interest to come out on the streets. Objectivity amongst reporters on international broadcasts of Pakistani news is rare. This is an attempt to show that there is a large movement that supports the President. Outlined below are highlights of Musharraf’s achievements, there is a section on reasons for imposition of emergency rule as well.


POSITION ON OPPOSITION PARTIES

Nawaz Sharif’s incompetent government and Benazir’s corruption (wife of Mr. Zardari who is popularly known in Pakistan as 'Mr. 10%') left Pakistan in a dismal state. Thus prior to Musharraf’s debut on the stage of Pakistani politics in 1999,

* The country was almost bankrupt;
* Pakistan was on the verge of being declared a “failed” and “terrorist” nation;
* It was listed as being the second most corrupt nation in the world (the first being Nigeria)
* During the time of Benazir and Sharif, the KSE 100 index was less than 1300. Now it is over 12000.
* Atrocities such as judicial killings of opponents took place shamelessly throughout Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, for which Benazir and Sharif were both primarily responsible.

MUSHARAF’S ACHIEVEMENTS

Under Musharraf’s regime since 1999, Pakistan has experienced tremendous growth and seen record improvement in its overall condition.

* From being #2 on the list of corrupt nations, Pakistan is now #138 – a remarkable improvement.
* Compared to being nearly bankrupt less than a decade ago, Pakistan now has reserves of close to $16 billion, and is still growing.
* Corruption has been virtually eliminated from the upper levels and significantly reduced in the lower levels.
* Musharraf actively confronted terrorism in Pakistan and employed several schemes to eradicate it from our country.
* Large-scale development is taking place all over Pakistan, with a significant amount of construction going on in Karachi and areas of Baluchistan. Previously, these areas were largely neglected, with Baluchistan left to the mercy of warlords for much of the history of Pakistan.
* Tax recovery is at an all time high.
* Pakistan’s media has flourished with Musharraf’s permittance and encouragement.
* Devolution of power- Musharraf brought the Nazim System and gave powers to the local representatives at the lowest level.
* Women's representation used to be 3.2%. Musharraf made a landmark decision and appointed 33% seats to be reserved for women in all three tiers of the local government and 17% in the national and provincial legislatures. (This also resulted in Pakistan being recognized as the country with the greatest progress in women’s representation within parliament in a comparison study of South Asian politics.)
* President Musharraf was awarded the White Ribbon Man of the Year Award 2006, in recognition of the tremendous support to the cause of women’s rights in Pakistan.
* Pakistan’s relations with India have also significantly improved. Previously, India refused to acknowledge the territory of Kashmir as a 'dispute'. As a result of Musharraf's diplomacy, Kashmir is today acknowledged as a disputed territory and both sides are working towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.


These are remarkable achievements in an 8 year timeframe. This is not to say that things are perfect; much work still needs to be done. But, Pakistan, under Musharraf, has been heading towards the right direction and this momentum should continue. He has addressed the root cause of problems in the country thus building a foundation for democracy to prosper. The measures taken under this regime are an attempt to reform Pakistani society with a high emphasis on education. One cannot educate a nation overnight; it takes time and honest commitment. We cannot let corrupt politicians ruin 8 years of hard work.

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THE MISSING PERSONS HELPLINE WAS DISCONTINUED WITH EFFECT FROM 31 MARCH 2005 FOLLOWING WITHDRAWAL OF FUNDING FROM DEPT OF JUSTICE AND LAW REFORM.

The Irish Missing Persons Helpline is based in Dublin and works with the Garda Missing Persons Unit and the Missing in Ireland Support Service (M.I.S.S.) to ensure there is a support service for families and friends of Missing Persons.

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Bullying is a form of victimization, or abuse, and it is wrong. Children should be able to attend school or take part in activities without fear of being harassed, assaulted, belittled, or excluded.

Studies show that 15%-25% of children are bullied at school with frequency. The children being bullied may have reduced self-esteem or depression, drop in school performance. Some emotional scars from bullying can be lifelong. Young people who bully are more likely to miss school or drop out. 60% of boys who were bullies in middle school had at least one criminal conviction by the age of 24.

Bullying creates a climate of fear and disrespect in schools and has a negative impact on student learning.

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SUPPORT THE STRUGGLE OF CONTRACT WORKERS AGAINST EXPLOITATION

BY HOLCIM IN CHHATTISGARH

Chhattishgarh is a mineral rich state that provides perfect opportunity to produce cement at most competitive prices. Raipur- Bilaspur belt provides the best location where both man and material is available cheaply. Government of Chhattisgarh gave lots of concessions with intentions that it will help in creating employment and contribute to the welfare of the people of the state. This resulted in mushroom growth of the cement industries in the area. Ultratech, Grasim, Century, Ambuja and Lafarge have come up with huge capacities in this belt. HOLCIM a Swiss based multinational has appeared on the scene by acquiring the ACC, AMBUJA etc.

Even though the natural mineral resources are exploited by those companies at a throw away prices, land forcibly acquired from the farmers at the cost of tears, Corporate cement companies are busy playing dirty games by not even respecting the rehabilitation package, as many of those land losers have been shown the exit door.

Very recently, it has come to light that few major companies have formed a cartel, resulting in abnormal hike in cement prices. Ten major cement producing companies are already served notices to that effect by the authorities.

As if this is not enough, the cartel is now busy to systematically exploit labours by squeezing them to exploit in a unified manner, which is a very serious matter.

Even "Cement Wage Board" agreement in force in the Indian cement industry which is the result of negotiations between the All India Cement Manufacturers Association and a group of central trade unions in the cement industry, which has been ratified from time to time, is not honored.

According to this agreement, contract labour is prohibited in the entire production process in the cement industry all over India, and even in the limited areas in which it is permitted - such as the loading and unloading of raw materials, contract labour are to paid at the same wage rate as regular employees.

Holcim, Lafarge, Century, and Ultratech have formed the Chhattisgarh Cement Manufacturers Association (CCMA). This Association has challenged the very jurisdiction of the State Government to make a reference in the first place, vide a writ petition before the Hon’ble Chattishgarh High Court, challenging the notification dated 31/12/60 bringing the cement industry under the purview of the MPIR Act, after more than 45 years! It is shocking to learn that the cartel has even managed to influence the concerned Respondent officer of the Central Government to support their case. If the CCMA succeeds in its conspiracy, it will intensify the attack against the already beleaguered working class of Chhattisgarh.

We appeal to all who feel strongly about this kind of exploitative stranglehold of big corporations - particularly foreign multinationals, to support the effort of the struggling contract workers in the cement industry in Chhattisgarh. Join the campaign against Holcim, Lafarge and Ultratech by exposing their misdeeds against workers, by signing the online petition and also declare your solidarity with Pragatisheel Cement Shramik Sangh C/o Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha Office. Labour Camp, Jamul
Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India

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