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While I understand (and often share) your cynicism, change.org has won some victories in the past: http://www.change.org/victories

The level of the "victories" do vary. But, in this particular case, I think a mass expression of support for this girl could actually encourage the local DA and school reconsider moving forward with prosecution.

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So merely asking how effective they are is "cynicism," got it.

Most of those victories can be chalked up to "post hoc ergo propter hoc."

Perhaps steer clear of questioning whether he was correct to guess your meaning when following it with a line that confirms you were indeed being cynical. Not saying you are wrong to be cynical, but you are (as am I).

Still not cynical (nor hypocritical in case that's what you're implying), and many change.org victories being post hoc instances is demonstrable.

I don't think he thinks of cynicism as a bad thing (and I don't either).

It's hard to prove causation in any of these.

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