April 5, 2013
April 5 News: A Millennium And A Half Of Ice Melted In 25 Years
April 5 News: A Millennium And A Half Of Ice Melted In 25 Years: Ice that took 1,600 years to form in the Andes has melted in 25 years: “the latest indication that the recent spike in global temperatures has thrown the natural world out of balance.” [New York Times] Lonnie G. Thompson, the Ohio State University glaciologist whose team has worked intermittently on the Quelccaya ice cap for decades, reported [...]/p
Fast Food Workers Open A New Front In The Struggle For Fair Wages
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Conspiracy Paranoia Infiltrates Senate GOP, Undermines US Global Authority
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Meet the GOPer Who Worked With Monsanto to Sneak the "Monsanto Protection Act" into Law | Alternet
Meet the GOPer Who Worked With Monsanto to Sneak the "Monsanto Protection Act" into Law | Alternet
"Anger at the so-called “Monsanto Protection Act” — a biotech rider which protects genetically modified seeds from litigation in the face of health risks — has been directed at numerous parties in Congress and the White House for allowing the provision to be voted and signed into law. But the party responsible for anonymously introducing the rider into the broad, unrelated spending bill had not been identified until now.
"Anger at the so-called “Monsanto Protection Act” — a biotech rider which protects genetically modified seeds from litigation in the face of health risks — has been directed at numerous parties in Congress and the White House for allowing the provision to be voted and signed into law. But the party responsible for anonymously introducing the rider into the broad, unrelated spending bill had not been identified until now.
As Mother Jones’ Tom Philpott notes, the Senator responsible is Missouri Republican Roy Blunt — famed friend of Big Agrigulture on Capitol Hill."
Our Battle Cry Outside Obama's Dept. of Education | Common Dreams
Our Battle Cry Outside Obama's Dept. of Education | Common Dreams
"Educators today are being punished for decades of growing income inequality, an eroding social welfare system, and an economy brought to its knees by lack of regulation—factors which make work in building supportive, democratic schools and classrooms that much more important."
"Educators today are being punished for decades of growing income inequality, an eroding social welfare system, and an economy brought to its knees by lack of regulation—factors which make work in building supportive, democratic schools and classrooms that much more important."
Beyond Deficit Scare-Mongering
Beyond Deficit Scare-Mongering
"Conservatives’ real aim in their fiscal brinkmanship is to gut Social Security and Medicare."
"Conservatives’ real aim in their fiscal brinkmanship is to gut Social Security and Medicare."
The Grand Bargain Is Here. Time to Call Your Senators!
The Grand Bargain Is Here. Time to Call Your Senators!
"We're going to concentrate on the Senate, because they'll probably send a bipartisan bill to the House in order to bypass Boehner's Hastert rule. Even if you called last week, call today. Be prepared to call every day for the next week. (Here's the link.) Please leave a note in comments telling us how your call went."
"We're going to concentrate on the Senate, because they'll probably send a bipartisan bill to the House in order to bypass Boehner's Hastert rule. Even if you called last week, call today. Be prepared to call every day for the next week. (Here's the link.) Please leave a note in comments telling us how your call went."
North Carolina GOP Takes War On Voting To College Students
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April 4, 2013
ALEC-Sponsored Bill To Repeal North Carolina’s Renewable Energy Standard Narrowly Passes Out Of Committee
ALEC-Sponsored Bill To Repeal North Carolina’s Renewable Energy Standard Narrowly Passes Out Of Committee: Yesterday, the North Carolina House Commerce Committee narrowly passed a bill that would repeal the state’s successful renewable energy standard. Currently, 29 states and the District of Columbia have adopted Renewable Energy Standard’s (RES) to encourage electric utilities to expand the power they generate from renewable sources such as solar and wind. In 2007, North [...]/p
The 1% Bug-Out Plan: Why Third-World Billionaires Are Buying Fortresses in London, New York and Miami | Alternet
The 1% Bug-Out Plan: Why Third-World Billionaires Are Buying Fortresses in London, New York and Miami | Alternet
"Preparing for economic and political collapse requires survivalist strategies for new elites."
"Preparing for economic and political collapse requires survivalist strategies for new elites."
Public Schools, Billionaire Agendas: The Threat of the 'Parent Revolution' Campaign | Alternet
Public Schools, Billionaire Agendas: The Threat of the 'Parent Revolution' Campaign | Alternet
"At first glance, it is one of the nation’s hottest new education-reform movements, a seemingly populist crusade to empower poor parents and fix failing public schools. But a closer examination reveals that the “parent-trigger” movement is being heavily financed by the conservative Walton Family Foundation, one of the nation’s largest and most strident anti-union organizations, a Frying Pan News investigation has shown."
"At first glance, it is one of the nation’s hottest new education-reform movements, a seemingly populist crusade to empower poor parents and fix failing public schools. But a closer examination reveals that the “parent-trigger” movement is being heavily financed by the conservative Walton Family Foundation, one of the nation’s largest and most strident anti-union organizations, a Frying Pan News investigation has shown."
16 Frightening NRA Police State 'Solutions' That Will Turn Our Schools into Gun-Crazy Nightmares | Alternet
16 Frightening NRA Police State 'Solutions' That Will Turn Our Schools into Gun-Crazy Nightmares | Alternet
"The NRA doesn’t just want to put armed teachers, armed guards and volunteer vigilantes in schools to prevent more school shootings. It wants to turn schools into veritable prisons, where security staff patrol and lockdown schools, and indentify and spy on problem students and employees, according to an NRA-sponsored report that included model legislation to allow such measures."
"The NRA doesn’t just want to put armed teachers, armed guards and volunteer vigilantes in schools to prevent more school shootings. It wants to turn schools into veritable prisons, where security staff patrol and lockdown schools, and indentify and spy on problem students and employees, according to an NRA-sponsored report that included model legislation to allow such measures."
Leaks Reveal Secrets of World’s Wealthy
Leaks Reveal Secrets of World’s Wealthy
"Millions of leaked emails and other documents have brought some of the darkest financial secrets of the world’s wealthiest people to light. The documents, which span the past 30 years, reveal the misuse of offshore tax havens such as the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Switzerland, and the Cook Islands by everyone from American doctors and Wall Street investors to Greek villagers and the families of notorious dictators and despots. According to the report, a good chunk of the money that was invested secretly across international borders included the proceeds of financial crimes such as Ponzi schemes."
"Millions of leaked emails and other documents have brought some of the darkest financial secrets of the world’s wealthiest people to light. The documents, which span the past 30 years, reveal the misuse of offshore tax havens such as the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Switzerland, and the Cook Islands by everyone from American doctors and Wall Street investors to Greek villagers and the families of notorious dictators and despots. According to the report, a good chunk of the money that was invested secretly across international borders included the proceeds of financial crimes such as Ponzi schemes."
Majority Of All Americans Now Think Marijuana Should Be Legal
Majority Of All Americans Now Think Marijuana Should Be Legal: In recent years, polls have shown that a majority of Americans think the United States is losing the so-called “War on Drugs” and that states should be allowed to decide whether marijuana is legal. Now, just months after the passage of two voter-approved state initiatives to legalize and regulate marijuana, a new Pew poll finds [...]/p
Why The U.S. Military Is Pursuing Energy Efficiency, Renewables And Net-Zero Energy Initiatives
Why The U.S. Military Is Pursuing Energy Efficiency, Renewables And Net-Zero Energy Initiatives: The military has begun a transition to efficient and renewable energy. The Army is proceeding with its “Net Zero Energy” initiative, which means that they will aim to produce as much energy (and water, and waste) as they use. Cost and reliability are the primary reasons, but cutting carbon pollution is one of the outcomes. Last [...]/p
Republicans Come To Silicon Valley To Offer Corruption For Cash
Republicans Come To Silicon Valley To Offer Corruption For Cash
"Congressional Republicans came to Silicon Valley this week to raise money from CEOs and their companies. They were offering a flat-out quid pro quo: give us money and in exchange we will cut your taxes, block taxes on profits made from moving jobs out of the country, cut government oversight of various schemes you try, and let you import more lower-wage tech-workers from outside the country."
"Congressional Republicans came to Silicon Valley this week to raise money from CEOs and their companies. They were offering a flat-out quid pro quo: give us money and in exchange we will cut your taxes, block taxes on profits made from moving jobs out of the country, cut government oversight of various schemes you try, and let you import more lower-wage tech-workers from outside the country."
North Carolina Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Penalize Parents Of College Student Voters
North Carolina Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Penalize Parents Of College Student Voters: A Republican legislator in North Carolina is pushing a bill to penalize parents if they have a child in college who chooses to vote where they study. State Rep. Bill Cook (R) introduced SB 667 this week, which would raise taxes on families with college students if the child registers to vote at school rather [...]/p
'Not Your Father's Oil Spill'
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No, New Tax Cuts Will Not Pay for Themselves | Economic Policy Institute
No, New Tax Cuts Will Not Pay for Themselves | Economic Policy Institute
"But the Laffer curve is merely an economic model, one originally sketched out on a napkin. The model has zero scope for informing good public policy without rigorous, accompanying empirical research on behavioral responses to tax changes.
"But the Laffer curve is merely an economic model, one originally sketched out on a napkin. The model has zero scope for informing good public policy without rigorous, accompanying empirical research on behavioral responses to tax changes.
And modern economic research isn’t on Laffer’s side."
"We Deserve Better": Striking NYC Fast Food Workers Demand Higher Pay | Common Dreams
"We Deserve Better": Striking NYC Fast Food Workers Demand Higher Pay | Common Dreams
"In what people are calling the largest ever protest of its kind, over 400 workers from the country's biggest corporate "food" chains—including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, and KFC among others—took part in the action."
"In what people are calling the largest ever protest of its kind, over 400 workers from the country's biggest corporate "food" chains—including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, and KFC among others—took part in the action."
No Place For Threats, Intimidation In American Political Discourse
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PERRspectives: Big Business Turns Against Corporate Tax Reform
PERRspectives: Big Business Turns Against Corporate Tax Reform
"The reasons are simple enough. While they are only too happy to take the rate cut, companies in most sectors of the U.S. economy currently benefit from a wide array of deductions and loopholes that now make the effective federal corporate rate closer to 13 percent of profits. And as it turns out, today's tax code enables entire industries and some of America's highest profile firms to pay Uncle Sam almost nothing at all."
"The reasons are simple enough. While they are only too happy to take the rate cut, companies in most sectors of the U.S. economy currently benefit from a wide array of deductions and loopholes that now make the effective federal corporate rate closer to 13 percent of profits. And as it turns out, today's tax code enables entire industries and some of America's highest profile firms to pay Uncle Sam almost nothing at all."
Chickenhawks Hannity and Giuliani Demand That Obama Get More Aggressive With N. Korea
Chickenhawks Hannity and Giuliani Demand That Obama Get More Aggressive With N. Korea
"Faux "News" is becoming a bad parody of itself, day after day."
"Faux "News" is becoming a bad parody of itself, day after day."
The Sequester Is Forcing Cancer Clinics To Deny Chemotherapy To Thousands Of Elderly Americans
The Sequester Is Forcing Cancer Clinics To Deny Chemotherapy To Thousands Of Elderly Americans: In the aftermath of Congress’ failure to reach a deal averting the sequester, President Obama described the automatic spending cuts as foolhardy, warning, “The pain will be real. The longer these cuts are in place, the greater the damage.” Those words are now coming to fruition, as local cancer clinics all across America are being [...]/p
New Report Exposes Extreme ALEC Agenda in Arizona
New Report Exposes Extreme ALEC Agenda in Arizona
"ALEC in Arizona identifies seventeen bills introduced in the 2013 session that appear to reflect ALEC model legislation. These bills would defund Arizona’s public school system (SB 1409 and HB 2617), eliminate collective bargaining rights (HB 2330), undermine the Affordable Care Act (HB 2588) and make it more difficult for Arizonans to sue corporations using class action lawsuits (SB 1452)."
"ALEC in Arizona identifies seventeen bills introduced in the 2013 session that appear to reflect ALEC model legislation. These bills would defund Arizona’s public school system (SB 1409 and HB 2617), eliminate collective bargaining rights (HB 2330), undermine the Affordable Care Act (HB 2588) and make it more difficult for Arizonans to sue corporations using class action lawsuits (SB 1452)."
Georgia Students Want To Hold The First Integrated Prom In Their High School’s History
Georgia Students Want To Hold The First Integrated Prom In Their High School’s History: Four students at Wilcox County High School in Georgia want to attend prom together — but under the current setup, they won’t be allowed to unless they throw their own. Wilcox County High School’s proms are still segregated by race, meaning Stephanie Sinnot, Mareshia Rucker, Quanesha Wallace, and Keela Bloodworth — half of whom are [...]/p
Background Checks Reduce Crime, Counter to NRA Spin
Background Checks Reduce Crime, Counter to NRA Spin
"There are three strong arguments for universal background checks right there. Reduction of intimate partner homicides, reduction of guns diverted to the illegal market, and reduction of guns sent to states where criminals are more likely to purchase them."
"There are three strong arguments for universal background checks right there. Reduction of intimate partner homicides, reduction of guns diverted to the illegal market, and reduction of guns sent to states where criminals are more likely to purchase them."
One Week Out, Supreme Court’s Anti-Consumer Comcast Ruling Is Already Taking Its Toll
One Week Out, Supreme Court’s Anti-Consumer Comcast Ruling Is Already Taking Its Toll: In just the first week since the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a class action lawsuit by more than 2 million Comcast consumers, the decision is already having major repercussions in several other cases alleging malfeasance by major corporations. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court kicked two other class action challenges back to the lower court in light of its ruling in [...]/p
VIDEO: The Pain From Sequestration As Told By Local News
VIDEO: The Pain From Sequestration As Told By Local News: The automatic spending cuts that went into effect at the start of March are spread out over a host of domestic programs and are having a real impact on communities across the country. Sequestration is cutting jobs, shutting down essential services, and hurting state economies. And while the consequences of the reductions are not leading [...]/p
Protests in Bay Area Send President Obama Clear Message on Keystone XL Pipeline: NO! | Common Dreams
Protests in Bay Area Send President Obama Clear Message on Keystone XL Pipeline: NO! | Common Dreams
"Mass demonstrations welcomed President Obama to the Bay Area today and sent him a clear message on the Keystone XL Pipeline: Just say NO!"
"Mass demonstrations welcomed President Obama to the Bay Area today and sent him a clear message on the Keystone XL Pipeline: Just say NO!"
Exposed: A Global Offshore Money Matrix - Truthdig
Exposed: A Global Offshore Money Matrix - Truthdig
"A cache of 2.5 million secret files offers the chance to peer behind the curtain of the world’s offshore money market, detailing the involvement of more than 120,000 companies and trusts, and politicians, con men and scores of the mega-rich."
"A cache of 2.5 million secret files offers the chance to peer behind the curtain of the world’s offshore money market, detailing the involvement of more than 120,000 companies and trusts, and politicians, con men and scores of the mega-rich."
From the San Francisco Earthquake to Superstorm Sandy, How Disaster Capitalism Makes Money off of Tragedy | Alternet
From the San Francisco Earthquake to Superstorm Sandy, How Disaster Capitalism Makes Money off of Tragedy | Alternet
"Causes and consequences, who gets blamed and who leaves the scene permanently scarred, who goes down and who emerges better positioned than before: these are matters often predetermined by the structures of power and wealth, racial and ethnic hierarchies, and despised and favored forms of work, as well as moral and social prejudices in place before disaster strikes."
"Causes and consequences, who gets blamed and who leaves the scene permanently scarred, who goes down and who emerges better positioned than before: these are matters often predetermined by the structures of power and wealth, racial and ethnic hierarchies, and despised and favored forms of work, as well as moral and social prejudices in place before disaster strikes."
Exxon's Unfriendly Skies: Why Does Exxon Control the No-Fly Zone Over Arkansas Tar Sands Spill? | Common Dreams
Exxon's Unfriendly Skies: Why Does Exxon Control the No-Fly Zone Over Arkansas Tar Sands Spill? | Common Dreams
"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has had a "no fly zone" in place in Mayflower, Arkansas since April 1 at 2:12 PM and will be in place "until further notice," according to the FAA website and it's being overseen by ExxonMobil itself. In other words, any media or independent observers who want to witness the tar sands spill disaster have to ask Exxon's permission."
"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has had a "no fly zone" in place in Mayflower, Arkansas since April 1 at 2:12 PM and will be in place "until further notice," according to the FAA website and it's being overseen by ExxonMobil itself. In other words, any media or independent observers who want to witness the tar sands spill disaster have to ask Exxon's permission."
6 Things You Need to Know About the Arkansas Oil Spill | Alternet
6 Things You Need to Know About the Arkansas Oil Spill | Alternet
"By now, you already know that at least 84,000 gallons of crude spilled from an ExxonMobil pipeline, swamping an Arkansas subdivision on Friday, and causing the evacuation of 22 homes. In addition to the loss of wildlife, damage to property, and environmental and human health hazards posed by the spill, it may have implications for the Keystone XL pipeline currently under consideration by the Obama administration."
"By now, you already know that at least 84,000 gallons of crude spilled from an ExxonMobil pipeline, swamping an Arkansas subdivision on Friday, and causing the evacuation of 22 homes. In addition to the loss of wildlife, damage to property, and environmental and human health hazards posed by the spill, it may have implications for the Keystone XL pipeline currently under consideration by the Obama administration."
April 3, 2013
Water for Profit: Seizing Climate Change as a Chance to Corporatize the Commons | Common Dreams
Water for Profit: Seizing Climate Change as a Chance to Corporatize the Commons | Common Dreams
"As the effects of climate change continue to ripple throughout the planet, some groups are acknowledging that the warming planet means big money is to be made on a resource more precious than oil — water."
"As the effects of climate change continue to ripple throughout the planet, some groups are acknowledging that the warming planet means big money is to be made on a resource more precious than oil — water."
GOP Pitches ‘Family-Friendly’ Policy That Would Weaken Overtime Pay
GOP Pitches ‘Family-Friendly’ Policy That Would Weaken Overtime Pay: House Republicans are planning to consider legislation that would weaken rules requiring businesses to pay workers when they work more than 40 hours in a week. Instead of allowing workers to make increased wages for working overtime, the legislation would give employers the option of providing workers with “comp time,” or more time off of [...]/p
4 Things Every American Should Know About Tar Sands Pipelines | Alternet
4 Things Every American Should Know About Tar Sands Pipelines | Alternet
"Forty-five minutes. That's how much time it took a ruptured pipeline in Mayflower, Arkansas, on Friday to dump at least 84,000 gallons of tar sands crude into a residential neighborhood and force the evacuation of 22 homes. The evacuations weren't just because the oil is messy or inconvenient. Highly toxic and carcinogenic solvents like benzene are used to dilute tar sands crude to make it pumpable. During a spill, those toxics evaporate into the air."
"Forty-five minutes. That's how much time it took a ruptured pipeline in Mayflower, Arkansas, on Friday to dump at least 84,000 gallons of tar sands crude into a residential neighborhood and force the evacuation of 22 homes. The evacuations weren't just because the oil is messy or inconvenient. Highly toxic and carcinogenic solvents like benzene are used to dilute tar sands crude to make it pumpable. During a spill, those toxics evaporate into the air."
ALEC Behind "Kill Shot" to Paid Sick Leave | Common Dreams
ALEC Behind "Kill Shot" to Paid Sick Leave | Common Dreams
"But the campaign against paid sick days is growing increasingly intense and coordinated, particularly as local governments take matters into their own hands. Keep an eye out for an ALEC legislator introducing a killshot preemption bill in your state legislature."
"But the campaign against paid sick days is growing increasingly intense and coordinated, particularly as local governments take matters into their own hands. Keep an eye out for an ALEC legislator introducing a killshot preemption bill in your state legislature."
President Obama Announces Bipartisan Brain Initiative
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Mike Huckabee: Obama May Be Planning To Grab Guns And Launch A Nazi-Like Dictatorship
Mike Huckabee: Obama May Be Planning To Grab Guns And Launch A Nazi-Like Dictatorship: Since calls for stricter gun regulation have increased after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, the gun lobby has deployed the Nazi comparison frequently. However, under Nazi rule, gun laws were actually relaxed. While Jews were banned from owning any weapons, the legal age to own a gun was lowered, while rifle and shotgun possession was deregulated. Experts say gun policy had little effect on Nazi power either way.
Even with no evidence to back up the confiscation conspiracy, gun advocates and Republican lawmakers have embraced rhetoric comparing President Obama to Hitler and Stalin. Meanwhile, 92 percent of the public supports mandatory background checks for all gun purchases, including overwhelming majorities of gun owners and NRA members.
PERRspectives: For Many Republicans, Every Day is Confederate Heritage Month
PERRspectives: For Many Republicans, Every Day is Confederate Heritage Month
"With their latest attempts to resurrect secession, nullification and other evils of the antebellum era, for many Republicans every day is Confederate Heritage Month."
"With their latest attempts to resurrect secession, nullification and other evils of the antebellum era, for many Republicans every day is Confederate Heritage Month."
Transplanting Taxes from Corporations to the Rest of Us | Common Dreams
Transplanting Taxes from Corporations to the Rest of Us | Common Dreams
"Today, corporate profits are setting all-time records while middle class families continue to struggle financially. These trends are intertwined."
"Today, corporate profits are setting all-time records while middle class families continue to struggle financially. These trends are intertwined."
Ken Cuccinelli’s Legal Appeal And How He Helped Undermine Virginia’s Protections Against Adult Sex With Minors
Ken Cuccinelli’s Legal Appeal And How He Helped Undermine Virginia’s Protections Against Adult Sex With Minors: Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) filed an appeal last week after a federal appeals court struck down Virginia’s sodomy law as unconstitutional. Virginia prosecutors had charged a 47-year-old man with soliciting oral sex from a 17-year-old girl — a felony under the disputed law. But whether or not Cuccinelli’s appeal succeeds, his vote [...]/p
Monsanto Cashes in on Ongoing Drought | Common Dreams
Monsanto Cashes in on Ongoing Drought | Common Dreams
"As ongoing drought continues to rampage through America's heartland, genetically modified seed giant Monsanto is cashing in."
"As ongoing drought continues to rampage through America's heartland, genetically modified seed giant Monsanto is cashing in."
News Corp. Outlets Fail to Disclose Big Oil Ties of Their Commentators | Alternet
News Corp. Outlets Fail to Disclose Big Oil Ties of Their Commentators | Alternet
"News Corp. properties Fox News and The Wall Street Journal failed to disclose the fossil fuel industry ties of commentators who used the media outlets to advocate pro-fossil fuel industry positions."
"News Corp. properties Fox News and The Wall Street Journal failed to disclose the fossil fuel industry ties of commentators who used the media outlets to advocate pro-fossil fuel industry positions."
Think Your Bank Deposits Will Always Be 100 Percent Guaranteed by the FDIC? Think Again.
Think Your Bank Deposits Will Always Be 100 Percent Guaranteed by the FDIC? Think Again.
"Bottom line
"Bottom line
This proves three things, I think:
- Major governments exist, in part, to make sure no banker takes a loss anywhere in the world, regardless of risky behavior on the part of the banks. The world and its governments serve the bankers.
- The next banking crisis is anticipated to dwarf the last one, and the Bigs have been making plans to bail it out with depositor funds, not taxpayer funds. Cyprus is just the first implementation.
- Loss of deposit insurance is coming to the U.S."
The Real Victims Of The Sequester
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STUDY: States With Loose Gun Laws Have Higher Rates Of Gun Violence
STUDY: States With Loose Gun Laws Have Higher Rates Of Gun Violence: The National Rifle Association (NRA) and its allies in Congress frequently claim that gun violence is highest in places with the toughest crime laws. But a new study from the Center for American Progress (CAP) suggests something closer to the opposite is true — the states with laxer gun laws tend to be the ones [...]/p
Surprise! A New Set Of Scandals Rock The Political World
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Nuclear Waste Site at Risk of Hydrogen Explosion, Report Warns | Common Dreams
Nuclear Waste Site at Risk of Hydrogen Explosion, Report Warns | Common Dreams
"Tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, which sits on the Columbia River in Benton County, Washington face dangerous risk of hydrogen build up which could trigger an explosion of radioactive materials, a nuclear safety board announced on Monday."
"Tanks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, which sits on the Columbia River in Benton County, Washington face dangerous risk of hydrogen build up which could trigger an explosion of radioactive materials, a nuclear safety board announced on Monday."
If Election Were Held Today, Democrats Would Win House In A Landslide — And Only Win A 5 Seat Majority
If Election Were Held Today, Democrats Would Win House In A Landslide — And Only Win A 5 Seat Majority: According to a Quinnipiac poll released today, if the election were held today 43 percent of the electorate would support a Democratic U.S. House candidate, as opposed to just 35 percent who would back a Republican. That 8 point lead for Democrats is significantly more than the GOP’s margin of victory during the 2010 Republican [...]/p
STUDY: An Increasing Number Of Patients At Isolated Rural Hospitals Are Dying
STUDY: An Increasing Number Of Patients At Isolated Rural Hospitals Are Dying: Critical access hospitals (CAHs) are medical providers located in America’s most isolated regions, serving rural communities that do not otherwise have easily-available access to care. Since the closest alternatives to these hospitals are usually over 35 miles away, they provide an essential resource for Americans living in secluded communities — and therefore receive enhanced funding [...]/p
Pipeline Ruptures In Mayflower, Ark. Sending Crude Oil Everywhere
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How Little We Know About Heavy Tar Sands Oil | The Nation
How Little We Know About Heavy Tar Sands Oil | The Nation
"When the Exxon Pegasus pipeline ruptured Friday in Mayflower, Arkansas, tens of thousands of gallons of diluted bitumen were sent forth into a residential neighborhood, and 22 homes had to be evacuated."
"When the Exxon Pegasus pipeline ruptured Friday in Mayflower, Arkansas, tens of thousands of gallons of diluted bitumen were sent forth into a residential neighborhood, and 22 homes had to be evacuated."
How the Financial Plutocracy Tugs the Leash on the Two-Party Duopoly
How the Financial Plutocracy Tugs the Leash on the Two-Party Duopoly
"The Payoff: Why Wall Street Always Wins explains why fighting financial malfeasance and greed is like betting against a gambling casino where the dealers play with marked cards."
"The Payoff: Why Wall Street Always Wins explains why fighting financial malfeasance and greed is like betting against a gambling casino where the dealers play with marked cards."
Exxon's Arkansas Tar Sands Spill: The Tar Sands Name Game | Common Dreams
Exxon's Arkansas Tar Sands Spill: The Tar Sands Name Game | Common Dreams
"As the American public becomes acquainted with images of tar sands flowing across lawns, driveways and streets of an Arkansas suburb near Little Rock (for video of the spill go here), Exxon is now making the claim that the crude spilled from its ruptured Pegasus pipeline isn’t technically tar sands. This attempt is reminiscent of the knots that Enbridge tied itself into to deny that the million gallons of tar sands it spilled into the Kalamazoo River weren’t actually tar sands."
"As the American public becomes acquainted with images of tar sands flowing across lawns, driveways and streets of an Arkansas suburb near Little Rock (for video of the spill go here), Exxon is now making the claim that the crude spilled from its ruptured Pegasus pipeline isn’t technically tar sands. This attempt is reminiscent of the knots that Enbridge tied itself into to deny that the million gallons of tar sands it spilled into the Kalamazoo River weren’t actually tar sands."
Has The Rate Of Sea Level Rise Tripled Since 2011?
Has The Rate Of Sea Level Rise Tripled Since 2011?: You may recall a couple years ago the climate disinformers trumpeted the (very) short-term slowdown in sea level rise. We can hardly wait for their posts on the recent speed up — JR. Figure 1: Mean sea level (in centimetres) since 1993 obtained by satellite altimetry observations. Annual and semi-annual signals have been removed to [...]/p
Exxon Off The Hook For Paying Into Cleanup Fund. Guess Why.
Exxon Off The Hook For Paying Into Cleanup Fund. Guess Why.
"Isn't this just perfect: Exxon won't have to pay into the cleanup fund for their pipeline spill -- because under the regulations, tar sands crude isn't classified as oil! And of course, the same regulation applies to the Keystone XL pipeline, too."
"Isn't this just perfect: Exxon won't have to pay into the cleanup fund for their pipeline spill -- because under the regulations, tar sands crude isn't classified as oil! And of course, the same regulation applies to the Keystone XL pipeline, too."
Lawrence O’Donnell to Asa Hutchinson: Can you call your NRA study independent?
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Eleven North Carolina Republicans Sponsor Resolution Saying Their State Can Ignore The Constitution
Eleven North Carolina Republicans Sponsor Resolution Saying Their State Can Ignore The Constitution: The Constitution “does not grant the federal government and does not grant the federal courts the power to determine what is or is not constitutional” according to a resolution sponsored by North Carolina House Majority Leader Edgar Starnes (R) and ten of his fellow Republicans — a statement that puts them at odds with over [...]/p
April 2, 2013
OK Tea Partier Threatens State Lawmaker For Stalling Bill Promoting U.N. Conspiracy Theories
OK Tea Partier Threatens State Lawmaker For Stalling Bill Promoting U.N. Conspiracy Theories: An Oklahoma Tea Party group is under investigation following a warning to a State Senator that he had to bring a conspiracy-theory laden piece of legislation to the floor — or else. At issue is paranoia-induced anti-U.N. House Bill 1412 and its current status languishing in the Senate’s Energy Committee, much to the chagrin of [...]/p
Wake Up!: Campaign Aims to End Evening News' Prime Time 'Climate Silence' | Common Dreams
Wake Up!: Campaign Aims to End Evening News' Prime Time 'Climate Silence' | Common Dreams
"Major TV stations including ABC, NBC and CBS need to "connect the dots between climate change and extreme weather" and provide far more climate change coverage during their evening newscasts, a coalition of environmental and media groups urged with the release of a new petition campaign Tuesday"
"Major TV stations including ABC, NBC and CBS need to "connect the dots between climate change and extreme weather" and provide far more climate change coverage during their evening newscasts, a coalition of environmental and media groups urged with the release of a new petition campaign Tuesday"
NYPD Commissioner Wanted Stop-And-Frisks To ‘Instill Fear’ In Young Minority Men, State Senator Testifies
NYPD Commissioner Wanted Stop-And-Frisks To ‘Instill Fear’ In Young Minority Men, State Senator Testifies: During a 2010 meeting, New York Police Department Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the city’s aggressive stop-and-frisk policy targeted so many young black and Latino men because “he wanted to instill fear in them, every time they leave their home they could be stopped by the police,” according to testimony by State Senator Eric Adams (D). [...]/p
PERRspectives: GOP Fights to Keep Texas Health Care Among Nation's Worst
PERRspectives: GOP Fights to Keep Texas Health Care Among Nation's Worst
"As it turns out, Texas is a role model only in the sense of being a horrible example to be avoided at all costs. As the numbers show, by almost every objective measure the Texas health care system ranks among the very worst in the nation."
"As it turns out, Texas is a role model only in the sense of being a horrible example to be avoided at all costs. As the numbers show, by almost every objective measure the Texas health care system ranks among the very worst in the nation."
Arkansas oil pipeline rupture foreshadows devastating environmental impact
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Exxon’s Duck-Killing Pipeline Doesn’t Pay Taxes To Oil Spill Cleanup Fund
Exxon’s Duck-Killing Pipeline Doesn’t Pay Taxes To Oil Spill Cleanup Fund: A technicality has spared Exxon from having to pay any money into the fund that will be covering most of the clean up costs of its Arkansas pipeline spill. The cleanup efforts themselves took a sobering turn as crews found injured and dead ducks covered in oil. The environmental impacts of an oil spill in central [...]/p
Busted! Unbelievable Plot to Rig New York's Mayoral Contest Revealed | Alternet
Busted! Unbelievable Plot to Rig New York's Mayoral Contest Revealed | Alternet
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested half a dozen New York City and state officials over bribery charges.
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested half a dozen New York City and state officials over bribery charges.
Among the arrestees was State Senator Malcolm Smith, who is charged with illegally trying to get on the New York City mayoral ballot. Others arrested included City Councilman Dan Halloran, a Republican who allegedly received cash from Smith in exchange for setting up meetings with GOP officials with Smith. Smith, a Democrat who had recently joined forces with the GOP, wanted the meetings so he could bribe the officials to get on the ballot despite his party registration."
Two-Thirds Of Louisianans Oppose Gov. Jindal’s Plan To Cut Taxes For The Rich, Raise Them On The Poor
Two-Thirds Of Louisianans Oppose Gov. Jindal’s Plan To Cut Taxes For The Rich, Raise Them On The Poor: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) is among the Republican governors pushing an overhaul of his state’s tax code that would abolish the state income tax and replace it instead with increased sales taxes. Such plans are inherently regressive, and Jindal’s is no exception: one analysis found that it would raise taxes on 80 percent of [...]/p
From Growing Profit to Growing Food: Challenging Corporate Rule | Common Dreams
From Growing Profit to Growing Food: Challenging Corporate Rule | Common Dreams
"The global movement for food justice and food sovereignty seeks to bust the corporate takeover of our food system, which has been accomplished with the complicity of our governments."
"The global movement for food justice and food sovereignty seeks to bust the corporate takeover of our food system, which has been accomplished with the complicity of our governments."
Epic Voting Lines Will Live On In Virginia
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Fukushima Meltdown Driving Increased Abnormalities Among US Infants | Common Dreams
Fukushima Meltdown Driving Increased Abnormalities Among US Infants | Common Dreams
"Infants on the West Coast of the United States are showing increased incidents of thyroid abnormalities, which researchers are attributing to radiation released following the March 2011 meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant."
"Infants on the West Coast of the United States are showing increased incidents of thyroid abnormalities, which researchers are attributing to radiation released following the March 2011 meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant."
The Christian Right Is Panicking Because They Know They Are Losing | Alternet
The Christian Right Is Panicking Because They Know They Are Losing | Alternet
"They know the tide of public opinion has turned against them on gay marriage."
"They know the tide of public opinion has turned against them on gay marriage."
Texas Republicans Stand United Against Providing Low-Income People With Health Care
Texas Republicans Stand United Against Providing Low-Income People With Health Care: Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) and the state’s two Republican senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, joined forces at the state capitol on Monday afternoon to reiterate their opposition to expanding the Medicaid program under Obamacare. Despite the fact that Texas could add about 1.5 million low-income people to its Medicaid rolls if lawmakers opted [...]/p
Democratic Senator Touts Bill To Allow Patients Involuntarily Committed For Mental Illness To Purchase Guns
Democratic Senator Touts Bill To Allow Patients Involuntarily Committed For Mental Illness To Purchase Guns: Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) hinted on Tuesday that he would oppose a Democratic initiative to expand background checks to all gun purchases, but reiterated his support for an NRA-backed measure that would permit individuals deemed mentally ill or incompetent to purchase firearms more freely. Pryor is part of small group of Democrats in red states [...]/p
Is the GOP Marriage of Convenience Between Bible Thumpers and the Filthy Rich Falling Apart? | Alternet
Is the GOP Marriage of Convenience Between Bible Thumpers and the Filthy Rich Falling Apart? | Alternet
"The Gordon Geckos don't care for the Bible Thumbers, the Bible Thumpers don't care for the Gordon Geckos. The knives are out."
"The Gordon Geckos don't care for the Bible Thumbers, the Bible Thumpers don't care for the Gordon Geckos. The knives are out."
Kansas Republicans Mock Rape Exceptions For Abortion Restrictions As ‘Little Gotcha Amendments’
Kansas Republicans Mock Rape Exceptions For Abortion Restrictions As ‘Little Gotcha Amendments’: The Kansas legislature is advancing an omnibus abortion bill that would, among other things, define life as beginning at conception in the state constitution and place unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers in the state. HB 2253 has already passed the House, and looks poised to gain enough support to sail through the Senate — but [...]/p
House GOP Budget Cuts To Food Assistance Would Cost America 340,000 Jobs
House GOP Budget Cuts To Food Assistance Would Cost America 340,000 Jobs: The House Republican budget unveiled last month converts the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, into a federal block grant to the states, costing the program $125 billion in funding over the next decade. It also cuts an additional $10 billion from the program after the transition is completed. Such reform [...]/p
April 1, 2013
Alaska Lawmaker Tells Exxon Valdez Spill Not Its Fault As State Considers Giving Oil Industry Huge Tax Cut
Alaska Lawmaker Tells Exxon Valdez Spill Not Its Fault As State Considers Giving Oil Industry Huge Tax Cut: Alaska is set to give oil companies, including ExxonMobil, a massive tax cut. The bill, which passed the Senate 11-9 and is endorsed by Republican Gov. Sean Parnell, is being debated by the House of Representatives. The plan raises the base tax rate that companies pay no matter the price of oil, and also gives [...]/p
The Methane Beneath Our Feet | Common Dreams
The Methane Beneath Our Feet | Common Dreams
"Insouciant New Yorkers—here is another pending disaster to shrug off with characteristic brio! There is a huge, ongoing gas leak beneath your very feet. A team of natural gas experts recently commissioned to survey the New York system has found vastly elevated levels of methane in locations all over Manhattan, a clear indication that Con Ed’s 4,320-mile network of pipes, dating back to the 1800s, is corroded, full of holes, and spewing methane into the atmosphere. The main danger here is to planetary, not personal, safety: though it has received relatively little attention, methane, the primary component of natural gas, is second only to carbon dioxide on the list of greenhouse gases that are inducing climate change."
"Insouciant New Yorkers—here is another pending disaster to shrug off with characteristic brio! There is a huge, ongoing gas leak beneath your very feet. A team of natural gas experts recently commissioned to survey the New York system has found vastly elevated levels of methane in locations all over Manhattan, a clear indication that Con Ed’s 4,320-mile network of pipes, dating back to the 1800s, is corroded, full of holes, and spewing methane into the atmosphere. The main danger here is to planetary, not personal, safety: though it has received relatively little attention, methane, the primary component of natural gas, is second only to carbon dioxide on the list of greenhouse gases that are inducing climate change."
Memo To GOP: It’s Hard to Love Diversity When You Don’t Live It
Memo To GOP: It’s Hard to Love Diversity When You Don’t Live It: Republicans are having a wee bit of trouble reinventing themselves as a minority-friendly party. One reason is that prominent Republicans keep doing and saying things that don’t seem, well, very friendly. Consider the recent remarks of Republican Congressman Don Young from Alaska: My father had a ranch. We used to hire 50 to 60 wetbacks [...]/p
No, American Corporations Aren’t Paying The World’s Highest Tax Rate
No, American Corporations Aren’t Paying The World’s Highest Tax Rate: Japan lowered its corporate tax rate one year ago this week, leaving the United States with the highest statutory corporate tax rate in the world. And as Washington turns its focus to corporate tax reform, groups of corporations aren’t letting lawmakers forget the anniversary. The RATE Coalition, a group of corporations advocating for lower tax [...]/p
8 Ways the Prophets of Capitalist Greed Justify Their Success and Your Slide Toward Poverty | Alternet
8 Ways the Prophets of Capitalist Greed Justify Their Success and Your Slide Toward Poverty | Alternet
"many of those responsible have been hypocritical, portraying themselves as advocates of freedom and prosperity while the greater part of America slides toward poverty."
"many of those responsible have been hypocritical, portraying themselves as advocates of freedom and prosperity while the greater part of America slides toward poverty."
PERRspectives: A Week in the Life of the One Percent
PERRspectives: A Week in the Life of the One Percent
"Judging by the 2012 election result, the one percent is not winning the hearts and minds of the American people. But as a quick glance at the headlines will confirm, the hearts and minds of the American media are a different story."
"Judging by the 2012 election result, the one percent is not winning the hearts and minds of the American people. But as a quick glance at the headlines will confirm, the hearts and minds of the American media are a different story."
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