Message For Australians re: Human Rights crisis in Tibet

The following in italics is from the GetUp website:

As Australians, we are in a unique position to help stop the cultural genocide taking place right now in Tibet.

Kevin Rudd happens to be the world leader who not only can speak to the Chinese leaders in their own language, but is visiting Beijing the week after next to meet the President and the Premier. Add to that the impending Beijing Olympics, where the world's eyes will focus on China, and we have a once in a generation chance to resolve this crisis.

As you read this, Tibetans are burying an unknown number of their dead from these recent protests - the number is unknown because China is keeping out all international media and human rights monitors. But China can't afford too much damage to its international reputation, and will listen to Australia's concerns.

Please sign the petition today:
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/StandUpForTibet

Please spread the message about this petition if you can on your journals or through email. The people of Tibet urgently need our help. This is a brilliant chance to aid them.

Don't give your money to this harmful Charity

The following in italics is from the Sydney Morning Herald article at http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/exorcism-for-the-sick/2008/03/16/1205602195122.html

It's about a dubious charity called Mercy Girls. It isolates people from the world, and does nothing helpful to assist clients. Please be wary about giving your money to this charity.
THEY call themselves the Mercy Girls. And after years of searching they have found each other.

Bound by separate, damaging experiences at the hands of an American-style ministry operating in Sydney and the Sunshine Coast, these young women have clawed their way back to begin a semblance of a life again.

Desperate for help, they had turned to Mercy Ministries suffering mental illness, drug addiction and eating disorders.

Do you know more? Message 0424 SMS SMH (+61 424 767 764) or email us with information or images.

Instead of the promised psychiatric treatment and support, they were placed in the care of Bible studies students, most of them under 30 and some with psychological problems of their own. Counselling consisted of prayer readings, treatment entailed exorcisms and speaking in tongues, and the house was locked down most of the time, isolating residents from the outside world and sealing them in a humidicrib of pentecostal religion.