I have thought for a long time now that if, some day, the increasing efficiency of the technique of destruction finally causes our species to disappear from the earth, it will not be cruelty that will be responsible... but the docility, the lack of responsibility of the modern man---his base, subservient acceptance of every common decree. The horrors which we have seen, the still greater horrors we shall presently see, are not signs that rebels---insubordinate, untameable men---are increasing in numbers throughout the world, but rather that there is a constant increase, a stupendously rapid increase, in the number of obedient, docile men.
---Georges Bernanos, "Tradition of Freedom"

Whatever you do will seem insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
---Gandhi

Foolish are the people who do nothing because they can only do a little bit.
---Confucius

I try to write a letter to someone in a position of influence about some issue of current importance as often as I can. Most of my philosophies are liberal, and these are reflected in the letters, but many of them are Amnesty International petitions to governments wrongfully holding prisoners of conscience, which I think everyone can agree is reprehensible. If you agree with my position on these issues, why not join me in sending out letters? Increasingly, you can do your lobbying by email, but if not, there's always snail mail.

Starting this holiday season, why not put your money where your mouth is?
Give Gifts That Give, and donate money to charity by shopping online at one of the following locations:

Current letters:

Other Useful Links:

Other Activism Links:

Gifts That Give:

Socially Responsible Investing:
Pat Hall -- Astronomer -- pathall[at]astro.princeton.edu