Call me cynical

[Orrex]

But do online petitions actually accomplish anything? I'm not talking about a hypothetical petition put up by Democratic Senator who will only introduce legislation if he gets 20,000 electronic signatures. Instead, I'm talking about "sign my petition to stop George W. Bush from eliminating environmental protection laws." For example, Conyer's petition for answers on the DSM--did it get us anywhere?

I'm thinking of a successful petition to stop someone from doing something he really intends to do, or to inspire him to do something that he really doesn't intend to do. Does such a petition exist?

I think I see about 1,000 petition-threads here on DU each day, but I've never heard of one that really yielded results.

There's something to be said for showing your support for a cause, but a petition, with the suggestion that it will make a big difference, seems intended to be more than an opportunity to shout "me too" in the public square.

[Wilms]

1. OK

You're cynical. :P

[Orrex]

2. Thanks!

[babylonsister]

3. John Conyers asked us to sign a petition which he then

brought to the wh, RE: DSM, and that was highly successful.
My attitude, if I agree, is, why not sign?

[tx_dem41]

4. I must have missed where that was "highly successful".

After Conyers brought it to the WH, what happened next?

[babylonsister]

6. OK, ya got me. In MY mind then!

But by Conyers doing that, it brought at least a bit of attention to the DSM. I do recall a bit of exposure on CSPAN.

[Chan790]

5. They do work somewhat

but far less effectively than LTTE or L2R (Letters to Representative) campaigns. In all my time as an activist, I've always avoided petition campaigns both online and offline as they are horrible return on cost and tie up massive resources. That having been said I sign all of them I agree with...but that has more to do with my desire to end up on the "watch list" or "enemies list" of this president. As an ACLU member, I'd view it as a Badge of Honor.

[BL611]

7. Often when a politician/group asks you to "sign a petition"

it is just a ploy to get you on a mailing list, or to get you to contribute money...

[Benhurst]

8. I hate to say this; but you're so ... so ...

cynical.

[Orrex]

9. Not just cynical

I'm cyclical, too. I'll probably ask this question again in an hour.