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All external links last last verified 08/??/2006

Items on this page were researched by Bill Sanders (aka LYAO Editor or "-LE")

Each item in question is in a white box and listed first, followed by it's status, links to my sources (where I determined the fact was right, wrong, etc.), and any comments I might have on the subject in a light yellow box. ;-)

Any short notes written by me on quoted material are in square brackets ("[" and "]"]

NOTE: This page Under Construction/Conversion
This page has not been completely converted to OFPv2 Standards.
When this is completed, this paragraph will go away.
Meanwhile, all external links on this page open a new window.

AKA (These are not really AKAs, but the idea for which the petition exists, with links to each example):

 

NOTE: Email petitions are normally a waste of time, email space and bandwidth. There MAY be a few that instead of asking you to forward them, include a link to site where you will enter your email address to be counted. In some cases, these will make donations based on how many people have "signed" the "petition". In others, they will normally have a deadline not listed in the email, and many of the emails get circulated and re-circulated, so you will need to check the site to make sure they are real and still valid. I will try to let you know at each one, below, if it's real, or still valid.

Be sure to check the End Notes of this page, and my Email FAQ - Email Petitions section for more information. Then, if you feel you MUST forward the petition or information about it on, see my Email FAQ - Forwarding Etiquette section. -LE

 

PLEDGE PETITION

PLEDGE PETITION

PETITION TO REINSTATE PLEDGE TO THE FLAG IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Agree or Delete: Instructions to sign are at the bottom.

PETITION FOR PRES. BUSH

PETITION TO REINSTATE PLEDGE TO THE FLAG IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

[removed "names" numbered 1-23, 821-883, 1561-1891 - Appears someone, somewhere can't count, or was trying to get this sent faster!]

If you don't forward the petition and just stop it, we will lose all these names.
If you do not want to sign it, please forward it to everyone you know. Thank you!!!
To add your name, click on "forward". You will be able to add your name at the bottom of the list and then forward it to your friends.

THE 2,000TH PERSON SEND IT ON TO THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL ADDRESS: [President's email address removed, just in case it was real]

 

Status: EXTREMELY DOUBTFUL

Source(s):

Comment(s):

  1. "Reinstatement" is only needed in a few counties, most in California.
  2. Note "problems" in the square-brackets, above.
  3. This email is a revamping of at least part of the Petition to Reinstate Public Prayer in Schools (see below)

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Firefighter's Day Petition

Firefighter's Day Petition

An idea from the son of a 9/11 firefighter, so before you delete this, just remember that this is a 14 year-old boy who lost his father on September 11th. All you're asked to do is type, point and click. He's got a really great idea. Thanks!

Hello,

I lost my Dad on September 11th; he was Chief Edward Geraghty, Battalion 9, New York City Fire Department. He lost his life with many other heroes that day, victims of the terrorists.

Firefighters from all over have come to the aid and rescue of the tragedy in New York and Washington, D.C. Many firefighters lost their lives to save someone else's. The truth of the matter is, they do this every single day. They truly are heroes.

I know many people feel helpless especially those who live far from NYC and D.C. We all want to do something to show our appreciation, our support. I think we can ... In honor of the bravery, courage and determination of American firefighters, there should be a day in our nation to celebrate and appreciate their hard-work and never-ending passion for saving lives. I think we should honor all those other heroes who still live today.

I'm starting a petition for a National Firefighters Day. Will you help make every September 11th "National Firefighters Day"? Please join me!

Thank you.

[Name and address left in since it's mentioned in Snopes article]
Connor Geraghty, age 14,
Rockville Centre,
New York
(I Love U, DAD!!)

PS: When this list reaches 500 names, please send it back to me at [email address removed]

Instructions: To add your name, click forward, add your name at the bottom of the list. Send it to all you know. OR ... COPY AND PASTE INTO A NEW EMAIL ... ADD YOUR NAME.

[450+ names removed - again, see the links, above]

 

Status: REAL PETITION... BUT...

Source(s):

Comment(s):

Here's a site where you can "sign" the petition, and it MAY get to the proper authorities:

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Petition to Reinstate Prayer in Public Schools 1
[from a 02/11/2003 email to friends]

Petition to Reinstate Prayer in Public Schools

Please do NOT let this petition stop and lose all these names.

If you do not want to sign it, please forward it to everyone you know.

Thank you!!!

ONCE YOU HAVE CLICKED FORWARD GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE AND PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO PRESIDENT BUSH THEN SEND THIS ON UNTIL THERE ARE 500 NAMES. THE 500TH PERSON SEND IT ON TO THE E-MAIL BELOW:

<email address removed>

To add your name to the bottom, click on "forward." You will be able to add your name to the list and then forward it to your friends. Or, if you prefer, you can copy and paste, and then add your name to the bottom of the list

*****

Dear President Bush:

Many of us were deeply touched to hear you recite a portion of Psalm 23 in your address to this great nation in the dark hours following the terrorists attacks. We were encouraged and comforted to know that we truly had a believer working with us and for us in our nation's highest office.

We, the people of America, are requesting that you lift the prohibition of prayer in schools. As the pledge of our great country states, we are to be One nation, under God."

Please allow the prayers and petitions of our children in schools without the threat of punishment. currently, adults and children in the schools are prohibited from mentioning God unless of course His name is uttered as part of a curse or profanity.

Madeline Murray O'Hare is dead. Let her legacy of atheism in our schools die with her!

Sincerely,
The People of America

Mark 10:13-14 "People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

PETITION TO REINSTATE PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

[names removed, based on Snopes' assessment and common sense about "email petitions"]

*****

NOTE: The complete list of names must be sent, do not try to shorten this!!

Please do NOT let this petition stop and lose all these names. If you do not want to sign it, please forward it to everyone you know.

Thanks!!!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Phillipians [sic] 4:13

"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36

 

Status: EXTREMELY DOUBTFUL

Source(s):

Comment(s):

[These were my comments on this email from 02/2003:]

The removal of the names that were listed does not in any way express or represent my thoughts and feelings on this matter. "Petitions" are based on numerous people signing a piece of paper, and, while even those can be "cheated" on, it is much more difficult to fake multiple signatures than it is to fake names on a list. The only ways I can think of that an email "petition" would work would be:

  • Each person send the same (cut and paste) email to a specific, non-government email address, where the address from which the each email is sent is checked to be sure it is real, and the ownership checked for duplication.
  • Each person "sign-up" at a specific web-site that requires their email address, which is then checked as in #1.

In both cases, when certain numbers are reached, they could be sent on to a valid, correct government email address, or printed out and sent to the correct government agency. BUT, the internet is not a good tool for petitions because I, personally, could send from or use at least four or five different email addresses, three of which have different names behind them (Bill Sanders, William D. Sanders, BigDaddyBS), and could create and send from as many more as I wanted. What about those who run email services, who feel strongly about things like this? They could simply create an email for everyone in the phone book for a given area, and send from or use ALL of them, and no one on the receiving end would be any the wiser.

Again, unscrupulous people can fake signatures and address on paper petitions, and the same goes for email ones, but the email "signatures" would be MUCH easier for anyone to "fake". –LYAO Editor

[I include this email, because I'm sure it's still roaming around. I include my comments to show that even in 2003, these petitions were being circulated/re-circulated around the internet, and I knew then that they'd never work. Yea for me! smiley-cheers  smiley-cool -LE]

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Petition for Prayer in Public Schools 2
[received 02/2006]

Prayer

The Message. Please sign and forward.

Dr. Dobson & CBS Response

Apparently we are to be allowed to watch TV programs that use every foul word in the English language, but not the word "God." It will only take a minute to read this and see if you think you should send it out

DR. DOBSON'S PLEA FOR ACTION

CBS discontinued "Touched by an Angel" for using the word God in every program. Madeline Murray O'Hare, an atheist, successfully managed to eliminate the use of Bible reading from public schools a few years ago.

Now her organization has been granted a federal hearing on the same subject by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, DC.

Their petition, Number 2493, would ultimately pave the way to stop the reading of the gospel our Lord and Savior, on the airwaves of America.

They got 287,000 signatures to back their stand!

If this attempt is successful, all Sunday worship services being broadcast on the radio or by television will be stopped. This group is also campaigning to remove all Christmas programs and Christmas carols from public schools!

You as a Christian can help!

We are praying for at least 1 million signatures. This would defeat their effort and show that there are many Christians alive, well and concerned about our country. As Christians we must unite on this. Please don't take this lightly.

We ignored this lady once and lost prayer in our school and in offices across the nation

Please stand up for your religious freedom and let your voice be heard. Together we can make a difference in our country while creating a way for the lost to know the Lord.

Please press "forward", and forward this to everyone that you think should read this.

***

Now, please sign your name at the bottom (you can only add your name after you have pressed the "Forward").

Don't delete any other names, just go to the next number and type your name and state. Please defeat this organization and keep the right of our freedom of religion.

REMEMBER! : Our country was founded on freedom of religion and our Constitution is based on the 10 Commandments.

[Notice how the bottom part of this email looks amazingly like the one(s) above, even THREE (3) YEARS after the prior Reinstatement Petition went out? -LE]

PETITION TO REINSTATE PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Agree or Delete: Instructions to sign are at the bottom.

PETITION FOR PRES. BUSH

PETITION TO REINSTATE PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

[all names removed - see below]

If you don't forward the petition and just stop it, we will lose all these names.

If you do not want to sign it, please forward it to everyone you know.

Thank you!!!

To add your name, click on "forward". You will be able to add your name at the bottom of the list and then forward it to your friends. Or copy & paste.

THE 2,000TH PERSON SEND IT ON TO THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL ADDRESS:

[email address removed - see below]

 

Status: EXTREMELY DOUBTFUL

Source(s):

Comment(s):

Ok... There are a number of problems with this email:

Per Snopes:

  • Originally, the top part of this petition was to go to the FCC.
  • Madelyn Murray O'Hare never petitioned the FCC to ban religious broadcasting. (No federal law gives the FCC this power, anyway.)
  • 2493 didn't have anything to do with O'Hare or banning religious broadcasting. (AND, It was filed in 1974 and the FCC denied it in 1975!)
  • Dr Dobson denies any involvement in this email.

The whole story is explained quite well at the Snopes source link, with the associated links also listed, above.

Besides the problems above, and those delineated in my comments for the prior version of this message, there are many I noted in this one:

  1. One set of names had a date on them. I assume they were the date those "signatures" were put on the list and it was forwarded. They were "2-27-04" and "2-28-04" (signatures 866 & 867).

    THAT MEANS THIS PARTICULAR VERSION OF THIS EMAIL PETITION HAS BEEN CIRCULATING AROUND FOR TWO YEARS AND HAS YET TO ACHIEVE THE 2000 SIGNATURES REQUESTED BEFORE THE LAST PERSON WAS TO FORWARD IT TO THE PRESIDENT!

  2. Not everyone included a location (City, State, Country, or any combination)

    THERE'S NO WAY OF KNOWING IF ANY OF THE NAMES ARE DUPLICATES OR MADE UP.

  3. Some signatures contained husband and wife combinations.

    WOULDN'T THIS HAVE GOTTEN TO THE REQUIRED NUMBER AND FORWARDED TO THE PRESIDENT FASTER IF EACH LINE CONTAINED A UNIQUE NAME, HUSBAND AND WIFE OR NOT? THIS IS NOT A WEDDING OR FUNERAL VISITATION BOOK. PETITIONS DON'T WORK THAT WAY.
     

  4. A number of signatures contained comments and blessings, for the US, for the President, for others reading the names (who besides me really looked at all the names?)

    EVEN WERE THIS TO ACTUALLY MAKE IT TO THE WHITE HOUSE, THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF WOULD NEVER READ EACH AND EVERY SIGNATURE ON IT. THE PERSON WHO DID HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT, WOULD THROW OUT ANY EXTRANEOUS COMMENTS.
     

  5. Because of all the forwarding, many of the signature lines were broken up. Somewhere along the line, I'm sure, they were "cleaned" a number of times. In the process, some lines contained more than one signature.

    HERE'S A MAJOR PROBLEM. IF AN ELECTRONIC EMAIL PETITION WERE ACTUALLY TO BE READ/USED, THEY WOULD DO WHAT I DID TO CHECK THESE OUT, AND CONVERT THE LIST OF NAMES TO A TABLE. THE TABLE I CONVERTED HAD 1797 NAMES, THOUGH THE NUMBERS ENTERED BY THE SIGNATORS HAD IT AT 1799. THIS WAS AFTER I FOUND THE LINES WITH MORE THAN ONE AND "CLEANED THEM UP". I'M QUITE SURE THAT SOMETIMES, WITH MISMATCHING NUMBERS, THE WHOLE PETITION WOULD JUST BE THROWN OUT.
     

  6. While regular paper petitions are known to contain many pages, this one had 36 pages of names (alone - above and beyond the reason for the signatures). Do you know how long it would take someone in the government to validate that there were no duplicates? At TAXPAYER EXPENSE?
     

  7. And finally, in this case, one of my trusted contributors actually forwarded this email to the address listed at the end. (Yes, they knew it most-likely wouldn't do any good... but were doing it for the friends who'd forwarded it to them.) AND THEY GOT A RESPONSE:

    From: <email address removed, so they aren't "slammed">
    Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 8:24 PM
    To: [email address removed... There's no reason for you to know who sent this on...]
    Subject:

    On behalf of President Bush, thank you for your correspondence. We appreciate hearing your views and welcome your suggestions. Due to the large volume of e-mail received, the White House is unable to respond to every message, and therefore this response is an autoreply.

    Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Now... If YOUR email box were repeatedly slammed by email petitions ...

  1. with the problems listed here and elsewhere in any of my comments on this page, including my my Email FAQ - Email Petitions section
  2. with the headers and footers and other markings that are common with multiply forwarded emails
  3. with the same names at the top of the many lists of names

... would YOU count ANY of the names on them? Personally, I wouldn't... I'd just auto-delete them based on the content or a name or two.

Bet they do at the White House and elsewhere, too!

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End Notes

Paper petitions (the ones that really work) require much more information than email petitions... If you've ever signed any, you know what I mean:

  • Printed Name
  • Age and/or Birth date
  • Address (full)
  • Phone #
  • Signature

If you wonder why, one logical reason is so they can call or write and ask if you actually signed the petition. (Of course, another is to get a list of people who are interested in the subject of the petition.) There are no such safeguards on email petitions.

It's obvious that many of these email petitions hit people's hearts and minds, by the number of "signatures" on each of them. The problem is not in the "feelings" or "thinking". It's in the execution. Email does not lend itself well to petitions, as noted above at:

  • any of the Snopes sites noted
  • my Email FAQ - Email Petitions section
  • the notes for the 02/2003 and 02/2006 Prayer Petitions
  • common sense, logic, knowledge of emails, whatever you want to call it.

They are ways people can show their friends (and their friends' friends, et al, as the email is forwarded an-infinitum) how they feel about a given subject.

PLEASE NOTE: The Pledge Petition and the Prayer Petitions contain almost exactly the same wording, at least for the part where you are asked to enter your name. Apparently, people are too lazy to create their own "petitions", except by changing a word here and there.

If you wish to create a petition and have "the world" sign it, use something like the petitions online site at, oddly enough, www.PetitionOnline.com - Free Online Petition Hosting, and forward the LINK, not the petition. Again, be aware that even they can be "cheated". Don't forward emails with hundreds of names on them. All they do is take up space (and some email accounts are limited).

As new "email petitions" come to me, I MAY add them to this page. (Hopefully there won't be too many! smiley-dunno)

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