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Old 03-18-2015, 08:29 PM   #31 (permalink)
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When it comes to stopping the punishment, I don't think it will either. Then again, there's a new king in SA and he might have a chance to set an example. He's aware of the cultural clash between east and west and even appears to desire democracy, but doesn't think it's practical to convert a whole country to democracy (it will come with cultural clashes that will destabilize SA).

Either way though, I think spreading the meme (not the internet meme definition, actual memes as in cultural ideas) of freedom of speech can have a positive effect as it trickles into the young, malleable minds of each generation.
I agree that one benefit of signing the petition asking Saudi Arabia to free Raif Badawi is that doing so helps promote the idea of freedom of speech and freedom of religion as human rights.

Yet I also think signing petitions and pressuring governments to back down from their draconian, cruel rulings and punishments *can* help, especially the more people who sign. I think that governments of countries around the world are susceptible to peer pressure.

For example, early in March, Saudi Arabia responded to international pressure by releasing an official statement. While the Saudi government claims that it won't change its stance on Raif, the fact that it made a formal response shows that Saudi Arabia *is* listening:

Raif Badawi: Saudi Arabia accuses western media of attacking its sovereignty - Middle East - World - The Independent

And when government after government challenges their judicial practices (beheadings, lashings, etc.), it may be harder and harder for them to continue to do them.

Unfortunately, I think the Saudi people are not in a position to criticize their government and ask for change because they are subject to its abuses, so we on the outside are the only ones who can. Signing a petition is a quick and easy way to help. At the very least, it lets his wife and kids know that millions of people are thinking of them and wanting their husband/father to be released. If my dad were incarcerated and being lashed and possibly facing the death penalty due to something he wrote, I would want to know that millions of people recognize the abuse and and are outraged by it.

Sometimes we can't stop suffering, but knowing you are not alone in your suffering can help reduce it.
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Old 04-22-2015, 03:44 PM   #32 (permalink)
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The world always condemns those who are brave enough to rebel and don't conform. This happens everyday. It happens in real life as well as on this forum. Most individuals in those countries die as a result of it.
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Old 04-22-2015, 05:58 PM   #33 (permalink)
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The world always condemns those who are brave enough to rebel and don't conform. This happens everyday. It happens in real life as well as on this forum. Most individuals in those countries die as a result of it.
Just a heads up. I'm pretty sure the mods have dispatched ninjas to kill you.
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Old 04-22-2015, 07:32 PM   #34 (permalink)
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**** it, I have to sign it. Probably, nothing will change, but I'm signing it.
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Old 04-22-2015, 07:53 PM   #35 (permalink)
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Is there a petition for people who want to see him get his head chopped off? I'd sign that.
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There is only one bright spot and that is the growing habit of disgruntled men of dynamiting factories and power-stations; I hope that, encouraged now as ‘patriotism’, may remain a habit! But it won’t do any good, if it is not universal.
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Old 04-22-2015, 08:41 PM   #36 (permalink)
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You really need to start your own country...
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Old 04-22-2015, 08:44 PM   #37 (permalink)
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The world always condemns those who are brave enough to rebel and don't conform. This happens everyday. It happens in real life as well as on this forum. Most individuals in those countries die as a result of it.
Because signing a petition will have any effect at all. Be realistic, nothing is going to change what will/has happened.
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